HMB while on GLP-1s?

[MetforminMeh]

I'm curious if anyone has thoughts on HMB (hydroxymethylbutyrate) and whether it can help stop muscle breakdown during weight loss caused by GLP-1 meds, like tirzepatide which I'm on?

Since August 7th, my smart scale says I've lost around 5 pounds of muscle. I haven't been able to work out much due to being sick, first with one virus and then COVID. I'm hoping to start lifting soon.

I saw a dietitian who suggested 3 grams of HMB daily. I'm usually trust experts, but all she said was she'd do some kind of calorimetry test in 20 months. Does anyone believe HMB will really help?

 

[Kerry]

The research is all over the map on HMB. Some good studies show it does nothing for muscle loss in healthy adults. Other studies show it helps a bit.

I'm taking it and lifting weights pretty hard (5 days a week) while cutting calories. Figure it can't hurt to add it since I'm already putting in all that gym time.

 

[MetforminMeh]

Thanks, @Kerry. That makes me more confident about taking it. I watched a Youtube video where Mike Israetel was critical of it. He seemed to be talking to people eating more than I am. I'm losing close to 2 pounds a week.

 

[CleanMode]

Yeah, the research on HMB is conflicting. I'm on a GLP-1 and a bunch of other supplements, so I figured why not add HMB too.

Also, for weight loss, consider GLA (gamma linoleic acid). A study found that people taking GLA regained less weight. It was a small study but still worth considering. Here's a link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17209170/

 

[Maxie_62]

Have your hormone levels checked.

 

[MetforminMeh]

My doctor is an endocrinologist, so I think that's already happening.

 

[CleanMode]

One meta-analysis showed HMB improved muscle strength, another showed it increased total body mass, but that's about it. So, who knows?

Here's a study on strength in older adults: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9326439/

And one on body mass: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7285233/#sec4-nutrients-12-01523

 

[CleanMode]

Also, the dosage matters. I take 2000mg of calcium HMB daily.

You might want to research epicatechin too.

 

[Georgie]

I've been taking Ozempic for about 2 months now and have lost around 18lbs. I'm afraid a lot of it is muscle, even though I'm hitting the gym a few times a week and eating plenty of protein. Anyone else worried about this?

 

[Kerry]

Anyone else worried about this?

Muscle loss is a valid concern. Lift heavy and eat protein. No reason to overthink it.

 

[Geeky-Road]

I agree with @Kerry. Definitely lift heavy and get enough protein. Some peeps also recommend DEXA scans to see what's really going on.

 

[Goals]

I use a body composition scale to track things over time. I strength train 3 times a week and try to increase the weight each time. I also prioritize eating protein. So far, I'm gaining muscle and losing fat.

 

[HeartCake]

For anyone considering peptides for muscle growth, remember that 9-11 weeks is usually not enough time to see significant results. Make sure you're also prioritizing nutrition and training correctly for your goals.

 

[MetforminMeh]

Thanks for all the replies! I'm definitely going to focus on lifting and protein. I'll also keep taking the HMB for now, since it seems like it might help a little.

 

[Geeky-Road]

I do resistance training to complete muscle failure, using lighter weights and multiple reps. It is a pretty solid method of building muscle. I also eat a lot of salmon and protein shakes.

 

[plum-dose10]

How did you manage to drop all that weight? What adjustments while on this med made the biggest difference for you?

 

[Curious_Lemon_45]

HMB has modest data on lean mass - worth adding if protein is already high.