A staple supplement known as HMB may be helping the memories of many
Beta-hydroxy beta-methylbutyrate, also called HMB, is a supplement that has been in the fitness industry for some time now, as something that helps with muscle mass. However, recent studies have found that it can possibly do more than that, and it may be something that can help you with a very common and tragic disease that effects many Americans, Alzheimer’s. In this post, we will detail how the supplement HMB may help stave off the progression of Alzheimer’s.
Let’s dive into this supplement, what it can do, and where to find it.
What is HMB?
Beta-hydroxy beta-methylbutryate (HMB) is a fairly common supplement that is included in other supplements such as creatine, as it is said to help put on and preserve muscle mass, as well as increase strength gains. HMB is deemed safe, as there are also no known side effects, even after long term use. This is what makes it so popular in the fitness industry.
HMB is not a prescription drug, nor is it an anabolic steroid, it is an over-the-counter supplement that you can find in your local supplement stores, online, and pretty much wherever you can find some bodybuilding supplements. Aside from making gains with HMB, there have been new advances in medicine with the supplement, specifically in treating Alzheimer’s disease.
What is Alzheimer’s?
Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia, which is a general term for memory loss and other cognitive issues that can affect your day to day life and memory. Alzheimer’s accounts for 60-80% of dementia cases, and can be found in as many as 6 million Americans.
Sadly, the greatest risk factor for the disease is increasing age. Alzheimer’s is something that is found in many people aged 65 or older, it is found that more than 10% of this demographic may have the disease. Younger people can get early onset versions of the disease, and the severity can range from person to person.
Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease, meaning it unfortunately worsens over time, and dementia symptoms will gradually worsen over the years. When it is still in the early stages, the memory loss is mild, but in later stages it can even inhibit an individual’s ability to carry a conversation and respond to the environment that they are in. The average person lives 4-8 years after diagnosis, but can live more depending on other factors.
Alzheimer’s currently has no cure.
Effects of HMB on Azheimer’s
Now that HMB and Alzheimer’s have both been defined, let’s check out what exactly the effects of HMB on Alzheimer’s are. As stated above, Alzheimer’s has no cure, so do not expect HMB to completely reverse its effects, but, new studies are using it to treat the disease.
According to Kalipada Pahan, PhD, the Floyd A. Davis, MD, Professor of Neurology and professor of neurological sciences, biochemistry and pharmacology at RUSH Medical College, HMB “may be one of the safest and easiest approaches to halt disease progression and protect memory in Alzheimer’s disease patients”.
There have been studies in mice that had Alzheimer’s disease, and these studies have shown that the HMB supplement successfully reduces plaques and increases factors for neuronal growth to protect learning and memory, according to neurological researchers at RUSH.
There have been previous studies that indicated that a family of proteins, known as neurotrophic factors, are largely lowered in the brains of people that have Alzheimer’s disease. These proteins have also been found to help in survival and function of neurons, which are cells that receive and send messages from the body to the brain and vice versa.
Dr. Pahan’s study found that once the test subjects (mice) with Alzheimer’s-like pathology, meaning they had plaques and tangles, orally consumed HMB, it was able to enter the brain, the number of these proteins was increased, and neuronal connections were restored, which allowed for an improved memory and learning abilities.
The study findings also indicated that HMB stimulates a nuclear hormone receptor within the brain called PPAR. This helps regulate the transport of fatty acids, which is the key to success of HMB as a neuroprotective supplement.
Dr. Pahan stated that if the results of HMB in mice with Alzheimer’s can be replicated in humans, it would open up a promising avenue of treatment of the devastating neurodegenerative disease.
The Best HMB Supplement
All of that being said, what is the best supplement that contains HMB that can help with your fitness goals as well as give you a good amount of the supplement?
Transparent Labs StrengSeries Creatine HMB
Transparent Labs Creatine HMB is clean and effective for tackling all of your strength building needs. With no artificial additives or preservatives, what you get is pure creatine with added HMB for better strength.
StrengthSeries Creatine HMB from Transparent Labs is a product that is designed for those looking to enhance strength and endurance, while also decreasing body fat, all without sacrificing lean muscle gains. It contains zero artificial sweeteners, colors, or preservatives, and if filed with clinically dosed ingredients.
| Amount Of Creatine | 5,000mg |
| Number Of Servings | 30 |
| Serving Size | 1 scoop |
| Best Way To Take | Take 1 scoop 30 minutes after a workout. |
Creatine and HMB combined have been shown to promote strength, increase endurance, and prevent lean muscle loss, making it quite the popular supplement for bodybuilding, just take one scoop after a workout and you are good to go. But as stated above, the HMB also helps delay the effects of Alzheimer’s disease, and StrengthSeries Creatine HMB contains 1,500mg of HMB, which is a great amount for muscle and brain gains.
Price: $44.99
HMB and Alzheimer’s Wrap Up
Overall, Alzheimer’s is something that many people suffer from each and every day. When it comes down to it, there is no cure, however, there are things that can slow down the progression of the disease. One supplement popular in the bodybuilding industry that is showing promising signs of slowing down Alzheimer’s is none other than HMB. While HMB has been used primarily for putting on muscle mass, it is now showing signs of preserving memory and slowing down the progression of Alzheimer’s.
We look forward to new studies with new results with the effects of HMB on Alzheimer’s.
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References
Barranco, A., Garcia, L., Gruart, A., Delgado-Garcia, J. M., Rueda, R., & Ramirez, M. (2022, March 5). Effects of β-hydroxy β-methylbutyrate supplementation on working memory and hippocampal long-term potentiation in rodents. Nutrients. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8912805/
ScienceDaily. (2023, July 22). Bodybuilding supplement may help stave off alzheimer’s. ScienceDaily. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/07/230722004622.htm
What is alzheimer’s? Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia. (n.d.). https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-alzheimers
