A systematic review and meta-analysis conducted on 561 participants across 13 randomized controlled trials has revealed that β-hydroxy β-methylbutyrate (HMB) supplementation does not provide additional benefits when combined with resistance training for adults aged 50 years and older. The analysis focused on key outcomes such as fat mass, muscle mass, and muscle strength, utilizing data from four comprehensive databases: PubMed, Scopus, Clinicaltrials.gov, and Cochrane.

The findings indicate that HMB supplementation does not significantly affect body composition (SMD = 0.24 for fat mass; SMD = 0.05 for muscle mass) or muscle strength (SMD = 0.04). While the study reported low heterogeneity for body composition outcomes, there was high heterogeneity for strength measures, suggesting variability in how different studies assessed muscle strength. Importantly, the review found no evidence of publication bias, reinforcing the reliability of the results.

These results challenge the current paradigm surrounding adjunctive nutritional supplementation in resistance training for older adults. The lack of demonstrable benefits from HMB supplementation suggests that researchers and clinicians should reconsider its role in enhancing muscle health and body composition in this demographic. Consequently, this may influence future clinical guidelines and research directions, steering focus towards more effective strategies for improving muscle health in aging populations.

Source: academic.oup.com