Protein and HMB: What New Research Tells Us About Muscle as We Age
によるDaniel Herman
A new study examined whey protein and HMB in older adults. Discover what it found about muscle protein synthesis, breakdown and healthy ageing.
We tend to talk about muscle when we talk about training. But maintaining muscle matters long after the workout is over. It supports the strength we need for everyday life, and it becomes harder to hold on to as we get older.
Protein is central to that picture. A new study published in Nutrients asked a useful question: could HMB add anything to the muscle response from a substantial serving of whey protein?
What is HMB?
HMB stands for beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate. It is a compound our bodies produce in small amounts from leucine, an amino acid found in protein.
Researchers are interested in HMB because muscle is continually being built and broken down. Eating protein helps stimulate muscle protein synthesis: the process of building new muscle proteins. Understanding what happens to muscle protein breakdown is another part of the equation.
What did the study do?
The researchers recruited 24 adults with an average age of around 68. Each participant consumed 40g of whey protein on one occasion and 40g of whey protein plus 3g of calcium HMB on another. The study was double-blind, and the researchers measured changes in muscle protein synthesis and breakdown after each drink.
This is a useful comparison because both drinks contained the same substantial amount of protein. It let the researchers examine whether adding HMB changed the immediate muscle response.
What did they find?
The whey protein stimulated muscle protein synthesis. When HMB was added, the researchers observed a greater synthesis response in the women taking part. Across the full group, muscle protein breakdown was also lower later in the period after the whey-plus-HMB drink than after whey alone.
That makes the result interesting, particularly for research into maintaining muscle with age. It also needs perspective. This was a small, short-term study of muscle metabolism. It did not show that taking HMB builds more muscle, improves strength or prevents age-related muscle loss over months or years. The finding in women deserves further study.
Where does Beta Performance fit?
Bio‑Synergy Beta Performance® contains HMB in a convenient capsule. Three capsules provide 1,500mg of HMB, and the product directions specify three capsules twice daily, providing 3g across the day.
That is the same total daily quantity of HMB used in the study. There is one important distinction: the researchers gave their 3g dose at once with 40g of whey, whereas Beta Performance’s directions divide 3g into two servings. We cannot assume the two approaches produce identical results.
For anyone thinking about muscle as they get older, the practical foundations are still clear: keep moving, include strength training where appropriate, and get enough protein through the day. HMB is an area of active research alongside those foundations.
Reference: Smith K, et al. “The Effect of β-Hydroxy-β-Methyl Butyrate (HMB) upon Acute Fed-State Muscle Protein Turnover in Older Men and Women: A Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Crossover Clinical Trial.” Nutrients. 2026;18(9):1449. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18091449
