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A leucine metabolite as a calcium salt, promoting muscle synthesis and reducing catabolism. Popular in sports supplements, it enhances exercise performance, recovery, and lean mass retention, especially for bodybuilding or age-related muscle loss.
| B-Hydroxy-B-MethylbutyricAcid,Calcium Salt |  |
| CAS | 135236-72-5 |
| molecular weight | 160.23 |
| molecular formula | C5H12CaO3 |
| solubility | Slightly soluble in water |
| color | White |
| flavor | Odorless |
| state | Powder |
| melting point | >215℃(dec.) |
| boiling point | 242.8ºC |
B-Hydroxy-B-Methylbutyric Acid, Calcium Salt (HMB-Ca) is a bioavailable form of HMB (a metabolite of the amino acid leucine) combined with calcium, offering targeted benefits for muscle health, athletic performance, and overall wellness. Here’s a breakdown of its key advantages:
1. Enhances Muscle Synthesis & Reduces Muscle Breakdown
Dual Action on Muscle Balance:
Stimulates Anabolism: HMB activates satellite cells (muscle stem cells) and upregulates signaling pathways like mTOR, promoting muscle protein synthesis—critical for building and maintaining lean muscle mass, especially during resistance training or periods of increased physical demand.
Inhibits Catabolism: Blocks the ubiquitin-proteasome system, a cellular pathway responsible for muscle protein breakdown. This is particularly beneficial during intense exercise, injury, or in conditions like sarcopenia (age-related muscle loss), where muscle wasting is a concern.
Clinical Support: Studies show HMB-Ca can reduce muscle damage markers (e.g., creatine kinase) by up to 30% and enhance strength gains in both novice and experienced athletes.
2. Boosts Exercise Performance & Recovery
Improved Training Capacity: By reducing muscle breakdown, HMB-Ca allows for longer, more intense workouts with less fatigue, making it a popular supplement among bodybuilders, athletes, and fitness enthusiasts.
Faster Recovery: Alleviates post-exercise soreness (DOMS, delayed-onset muscle soreness) and shortens recovery time by minimizing micro-tears in muscle fibers and reducing inflammatory responses. This enables more frequent training sessions and sustained progress.
Ideal for High-Intensity Activities: Effective in both resistance training (e.g., weightlifting) and endurance sports (e.g., running, cycling), supporting performance across diverse athletic disciplines.
3. Protects Muscle Mass in Clinical and Age-Related Scenarios
Sarcopenia & Frailty Management: In older adults, HMB-Ca has been shown to slow muscle loss, improve strength, and enhance mobility—key factors in maintaining independence and quality of life.
Medical Applications: Used in clinical settings to support muscle health in individuals with chronic diseases (e.g., cancer, HIV/AIDS), post-surgery, or during prolonged bed rest, where muscle wasting is a significant risk.
Pediatric and Geriatric Support: Safe for long-term use, it bridges the gap between preventive care and rehabilitation for vulnerable populations with muscle-related challenges.
4. Provides Bioavailable Calcium for Skeletal Support
Dual Nutrient Benefit: As a calcium salt, HMB-Ca delivers approximately 12% elemental calcium, contributing to bone density, teeth health, and muscle contraction regulation. This makes it a strategic choice for individuals (e.g., athletes, older adults) who need both muscle and skeletal support.
Gentle Calcium Form: The calcium in HMB-Ca is bound to HMB, a naturally occurring compound, ensuring gentle absorption without the gastrointestinal side effects (e.g., constipation, gas) often associated with standalone calcium supplements.
5. Enhances Immune Function & Cellular Health
Antioxidant Properties: HMB reduces oxidative stress by increasing glutathione levels (a key intracellular antioxidant), protecting muscle cells from free radical damage during intense exercise or physiological stress.
Inflammation Modulation: Suppresses pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., TNF-α, IL-6), supporting overall immune balance and reducing the risk of exercise-induced immune suppression.
6. Safe, Well-Tolerated, and Versatile
Low Side Effect Profile: Clinical trials report minimal adverse effects, with most users experiencing no issues even at doses up to 3 grams daily. It is generally well-tolerated by individuals with sensitive digestive systems.
Easy Integration: Available in capsules, powders, or tablets, HMB-Ca can be easily incorporated into daily routines, often paired with protein, creatine, or omega-3s for synergistic muscle and recovery benefits.
Who Can Benefit?
Athletes & Fitness Enthusiasts: To maximize muscle growth, performance, and recovery.
Older Adults: To combat sarcopenia and maintain functional strength.
Medical Patients: To prevent muscle wasting during illness or rehabilitation.
Calcium-Deficient Individuals: Who seek a dual-action supplement for muscle and bone health.
HMB-Ca stands out as a science-backed compound that addresses both muscle preservation and skeletal support, making it a valuable addition to wellness and fitness regimens. Its unique combination of HMB’s anabolic effects with calcium’s nutritional benefits offers a holistic approach to maintaining strength, mobility, and overall health across the lifespan.
HMB-Ca acts on two critical pathways to maintain muscle balance:
Inhibits Catabolism (Muscle Breakdown): By suppressing the ubiquitin-proteasome system—a cellular pathway that degrades muscle proteins—HMB-Ca reduces muscle wasting, even under conditions of stress (e.g., high-intensity workouts, calorie restriction, or chronic disease). This is particularly vital for older adults, where age-related sarcopenia can lead to up to 3% muscle loss annually.
Stimulates Anabolism (Muscle Building): Activates satellite cells (muscle stem cells) and enhances mTOR signaling, a key regulator of muscle protein synthesis. This promotes the repair and growth of muscle fibers, ensuring net muscle preservation even when protein intake is suboptimal or demand is high (e.g., during rehabilitation or athletic training).
Clinical studies show that HMB-Ca supplementation can reduce muscle breakdown by up to 50% in vulnerable populations, tipping the balance toward muscle retention.
HMB-Ca shines in scenarios where muscle loss is a significant risk:
Athletic Performance & Recovery: In athletes, it mitigates exercise-induced muscle damage (e.g., micro-tears, inflammation) by reducing markers like creatine kinase and C-reactive protein. This minimizes delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and allows for more consistent training, preserving lean mass during intense regimens.
Aging and Sarcopenia: In older adults, HMB-Ca slows the progression of age-related muscle loss, improving strength, mobility, and functional performance (e.g., stair climbing, grip strength). A landmark study in frail seniors found that 3 grams daily for 12 weeks increased muscle mass by 1.4 kg and reduced falls by 48%.
Medical Applications: For individuals with chronic illnesses (e.g., cancer, COPD) or those recovering from surgery/injury, HMB-Ca combats cachexia (muscle wasting) by protecting existing muscle and supporting rehabilitation efforts, enhancing quality of life and recovery outcomes.
As a calcium salt, HMB-Ca offers a unique advantage for muscle and bone health:
Enhanced Absorption: The calcium ion binds to HMB, forming a stable, water-soluble complex that ensures efficient uptake in the intestines, with minimal gastrointestinal side effects—critical for long-term compliance in older adults or those with sensitive digestion.
Dual Nutrient Synergy: While HMB targets muscle preservation, the calcium component supports bone density and muscle contraction regulation, creating a holistic solution for individuals (e.g., postmenopausal women, aging athletes) who need to protect both muscle and skeletal mass. This dual action is especially valuable as muscle and bone health are interconnected; strong muscles pull on bones, stimulating mineral density, while healthy bones provide a stable framework for muscle function.
Robust Clinical Backing: Over 30 years of research, including randomized controlled trials, validate HMB-Ca’s efficacy in muscle preservation across populations, from elite athletes to frail seniors. Doses of 1.5–3 grams daily are widely studied, with no significant adverse effects reported.
Easy Integration: Available in various forms (capsules, powders, tablets), HMB-Ca can be seamlessly added to diets, often paired with protein supplements or amino acids (e.g., leucine) for synergistic muscle-building effects. Its neutral taste and stability make it suitable for fortified foods or clinical nutrition formulas.
HMB-Ca is more than a supplement; it’s a strategic tool for preserving muscle integrity in the face of aging, intense physical demand, or health challenges. By addressing the root causes of muscle breakdown while supporting repair, it empowers individuals to maintain strength, mobility, and independence—key pillars of long-term wellness. Whether for an athlete aiming to retain lean mass, a senior combating sarcopenia, or a patient recovering from illness, HMB-Ca offers targeted, science-driven support for muscle preservation.
