Research
Mixed
HMB supplementation is safe in humans, with no adverse effects on blood chemistry, hematology, or organ function at doses up to 3-4 g/day.
HMB is safe for human consumption at doses used for muscle building (up to 4g/day), with no negative impacts on liver, kidney, or blood markers.
StrongSupportsVERY_HIGH confidence
The results of HMB on blood hematology and chemistry indicate that dietary supplementation of HMB can improve immune function and health and can increase resistance to disease. The only consistent change in blood chemistry was a decrease in LDL cholesterol... The only consistent change in blood chemistry was a decrease in LDL cholesterol, which changed 7% (P < 0.01).
Why this rating
Multiple human studies (1-7) and animal studies show no adverse effects.
Source
Nutritional role of the leucine metabolite β-hydroxy β-methylbutyrate (HMB)
Steven Nissen et al. · The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry · 1997
DOI 10.1016/s0955-2863(97)00048-x
narrative_reviewCited 266×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
More from this paper
- HMB supplementation increases lean mass gains by 50-200% and strength by 300% in humans undergoing resistance training compared to unsupplemented subjects, primarily by reducing exercise-related muscle damage and protein breakdown.Good
- HMB improves immune function by increasing lymphocyte blastogenesis and macrophage activity, particularly under stress conditions.Moderate
Related findings · Mixed
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