Research
Micronutrients & recovery
HMB improves immune function by increasing lymphocyte blastogenesis and macrophage activity, particularly under stress conditions.
HMB may support immune function, especially during stressful periods, by enhancing immune cell activity.
ModerateSupportsMEDIUM confidence
In addition to its effects on protein metabolism, our studies have established a major role for HMB in modulating immune responses, especially during periods of stress. The results (Table 1) showed that the only direct leucine metabolite to affect lymphocyte blastogenesis was HMB.
Why this rating
Based on in vitro studies and some animal studies; human immune data is less emphasized.
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
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