Tag: Hydroxymethylbutyrate

Derived from the essential amino acid leucine, HMB is a natural metabolite produced in small amounts by the human body. The supplement HMB is used to help regulate muscle protein balance by both increasing synthesis and, more prominently, decreasing protein breakdown.

A healthy body produces only a small amount of HMB (about 0.3 grams per day) as a metabolite of the amino acid leucine, making it extremely difficult to acquire significant quantities from diet alone. This means while certain foods contain HMB, the levels are not substantial enough for a therapeutic effect.