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Calcium β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate monohydrate (Ca-HMB) Facts
Ca-HMB is the calcium salt of beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate, a bioactive metabolite formed by your body when it breaks down the essential amino acid Leucine. While Leucine is known for sparking protein synthesis, HMB is its specialized component of Leucine, primarily recognized for its role in supporting muscle cell integrity and nitrogen balance.*
Key Benefits of Calcium-HMB (Ca-HMB):
- Ca-HMB supports lean muscle mass retention. It helps the body maintain existing muscle protein levels by slowing the natural rate of protein breakdown. This can be particularly beneficial during periods of high physical demand, caloric restriction, or decreased activity, as it plays a role in the metabolic pathways that impact muscle loss, helping to maintain lean-muscle mass*
- Ca-HMB promotes muscle quality and supports the mTOR signaling pathway, encouraging the body to maintain its structural protein levels and functional strength.*
- Ca-HMB supports muscle recovery and helps reduce muscle tissue breakdown during training, which may help shorten the time between workouts.*
Why it Matters:
The body converts only about 5% of dietary leucine into HMB. To reach a functional 1.5 g amount through food alone, you would need to consume over 300g of high-quality protein daily, making supplementation an efficient way to help bridge the Ca-HMB gap ¹.
Offsetting the breakdown phase. Physical activity naturally involves a cycle of muscle tissue breakdown and repair. Ca-HMB works on the breakdown side of this equation, helping to tilt the balance toward net protein gain by slowing the rate of muscle turnover ².
As we age, maintaining muscle quality becomes essential for mobility. Ca-HMB helps provide nutritional support needed to help stay active and help preserve hard-earned lean muscle mass.*
Citations:
1. Wilson JM, Lowery RP, Joy JM, et al. The effects of 12 weeks of beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate free acid supplementation on muscle mass, strength, and power in resistance-trained individuals. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2014;114(6):1217-1227. doi:10.1007/s00421-014-2854-5
2. Nissen S, Sharp R, Ray M, et al. Effect of leucine metabolite beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate on muscle metabolism during resistance-exercise training. J Appl Physiol. 1996;81(5):2095-2104. doi:10.1152/jappl.1996.81.5.2095
