RECOMMENDED USE:

As a dietary supplement, take 4 capsules 3 times per day with meals. Do not exceed recommended servings. Consult with a physician prior to use if you have any medical conditions. Do not use if pregnant or lactating.

Q:  Since all of the positive effects of HMB use have been linked to intense exercise, what is the rationale for using HMB on non-training days?
A:  It's probably important to continue taking HMB even on your "off" days and here's why. Not only does HMB play a role in "protecting" your muscles from excessive damage, it may also aid in the growth and repair of muscle tissue during your days away from the gym. If you avoid taking HMB on these days, you may be missing the opportunity to boost your recuperative abilities.

However, it may make sense to take less HMB on non-training days. And here's something else to consider about taking HMB: some anecdotal and research-based information seems to indicate that it may be beneficial to take more HMB than the recommendation of three grams per day. Some athletes have experienced improved results from as much as five grams per day. Experts have speculated that the improved benefits of higher dosages may be due to the bodyweight of these weight-training athletes, as many of them weigh much more than 200 pounds. So if you're well over 200 pounds, a sample HMB dosing schedule may be trying five or six grams on training days and two to three grams on off days.

Although the total amount of HMB may be reduced on non-training days, it's important to increase the frequency of HMB supplementation to maintain a consistent blood level and thereby potentially increase its effectiveness. For example, you might try consuming a half-serving of HMB five or six times a day rather than a full serving three times a day.

Q:  I was wondering if the recommended dosage of supplements like creatine and HMB should be adjusted according to bodyweight or gender?
A:  Although studies have not been done to answer this particular question, logic dictates that if a 200-lb guy gets good results using 3 grams of HMB a day, a 135-lb woman should get good results by using 2 grams a day.

It also seems to make sense that if a 200-lb athlete experiences positive results using a maintenance dose of creatine (6-10 grams), then a woman who weighs 135 lbs might need only 4-6 grams of creatine a day.

By the same token, atheletes who weigh over 200 lbs might benefit from taking more of these supplements to get optimal results.

Q:  What does HMB do?
A:  Researchers are not completely certain how HMB works in the body. It appears that this amino acid metabolite supports the body's ability to minimize protein breakdown subsequent to stress such as intense exercise and it also may work to preserve the integrity of cell membranes. By minimizing protein breakdown, HMB, when combined with a resistance-training program, may cause an increase in muscle mass and strength. The exact mechanism behind HMB's effectiveness will have to be determined in future research.

Q:  Does HMB cause any side effects?
A:  We produce from .3 to 1 gram of HMB in our bodies per day. Also, HMB occurs naturally in various whole foods such as grapefruit and catfish. Thus HMB is not a drug, and studies to date suggest no adverse side effects.

Q:  Is HMB just for young, serious athletes, or can older, physically active individuals also benefit from using it?
A:  As long as individuals exercise, HMB may be beneficial for older as well as younger athletes. In fact, from a recent study published in the FASEB Journal [12.5 (1998) : A652], researchers concluded that HMB may indeed enhance the effects of modest exercise on the body composition of older adults. In this study with a group of older subjects (15 men and 16 women, mean age: 70+/-1 yrs.) participating in a 5-day/week exercise program, the group taking HMB experienced a decrease in bodyfat and an increase in lean body mass. Subjects participated in a three-day/week walking program and a two-day/week strength training program for eight weeks.

Q:  Can I get the same effects of HMB by taking the amino acid leucine?
A:  Probably not. Researchers currently believe 5% of dietary leucine is converted to HMB in the body. To make 3 grams of HMB in your body, you would have to take at least 60 grams of leucine per day, which is not practical and could cause severe stomachaches!

NUTRITIONAL FACTS