β-Hydroxy β-Methylbutyrate

amino-acid · musculoskeletal · Oral

β-Hydroxy β-Methylbutyrate, an amino acid. Leucine metabolite (~5% of leucine flux) — anti-catabolic in skeletal muscle, slowing protein… Oral half-life 2 h.

Leucine metabolite (~5% of leucine flux) — anti-catabolic in skeletal muscle, slowing protein degradation. Most clinical benefit in catabolic states (cachexia, immobilization, very-detrained subjects); minimal in trained athletes. Calcium-HMB and free-acid HMB formulations differ in absorption.