Mixed
None of the tested dietary supplements (protein, creatine, HMB) significantly increased lean body mass in athletes when combined with strength and conditioning training.
Do not expect supplements like protein, creatine, or HMB to significantly increase your muscle mass on their own. Focus on your training and overall diet. This analysis found no significant benefit for muscle mass from these supplements in trained athletes.
No supplement significantly increased lean body mass... None of the interventions conferred a significant benefit over control: HMB (SMD = 0.15...), creatine (SMD = 0.16...), and protein (SMD = 0.22...)
Why this rating
Evidence is likely 'moderate' or 'low' (not explicitly stated as 'very low' like strength, but CI crosses zero for all).
Source
Effects of different dietary supplements combined with conditioning training on muscle strength, jump performance, sprint speed, and muscle mass in athletes: a systematic review and network meta-analysis
Beiwang Deng et al. · Frontiers in Nutrition · 2025
DOI 10.3389/fnut.2025.1636970
More from this paper
- Beta-alanine and creatine significantly improve jump performance in athletes, with beta-alanine showing a marginally higher effectiveness ranking.Good
- Creatine supplementation significantly improves sprint speed in athletes, while beta-alanine and vitamin D do not.Good
- Protein supplementation combined with strength and conditioning training significantly increases muscular strength in athletes, whereas HMB, creatine, and vitamin D do not.Limited
Related findings · Mixed
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