✓ No active regulatory warningsFDA MedWatch, EMA EudraVigilance, WHO VigiBase, WADA Prohibited List · 2026-05-29
Updated: 2026-05-29 · v2.0 · Prof. G. Pkhakadze, MD, MPH, PhDCiteEditorial
📰Read the full HMB evidence review on GMJ News →Complete clinical article, references and updates on news.gmj.ge. This page is the structured safety summary.
1
Safe
HMB
β-Hydroxy β-Methylbutyrate
Generally SafeModerateAmino Acids
RDA
Typical 3 g
Target
Lean mass preservation
Upper limit
Studied up to 6 g
Products
—
Dosage by population group — reference
🔗 Best with: Whey Protein, Creatine, Vitamin D✅ USP Verified, NSF Certified for Sport, Informed Sport
⚠ Anti-catabolic (preserves muscle) ≠ anabolic (builds muscle) [2]
⚠ Best evidence: sarcopenia, bed rest, cachexia [2]
⚠ Wilson 2014 study (dramatic gains): widely criticized, implausible [2]
ℹ️ Not obtained from food. Not applicable as a daily target — obtained as part of dietary protein rather than tracked individually.
🔬 Lab interpreter
Recommended test
DEXA body composition
Reference range / target
Lean mass preservation
When to test
Baseline and 3–6 months [2].
Primary outcome in sarcopenia/cachexia trials [2].
Full lab monitoring ↓
⚕ For professionals — confirm ranges against your local laboratory.
Clinical verdict
HMB prevents muscle LOSS (anti-catabolic) — NOT a muscle builder in trained athletes. Best for: elderly sarcopenia, bed rest, cachexia. The Wilson 2014 study claiming steroid-like gains was widely criticized. 3 g/day. ISSN supports anti-catabolic use [1] [2].
1 How much do I need?
👤 Adults: Specific dosage data under clinical review
👴 Elderly: Specific dosage data under clinical review
🤰 Pregnancy: See guidance
No data [1].
👦 Pediatric: See guidance
No data [1].
🏃 Athletes: Specific dosage data under clinical review
⚖️ Obesity: Standard dose
Fat-soluble compounds may require dose adjustment in obesity.
🩺 Renal: Consult specialist
Dose adjustment may be needed in renal impairment.
🌱 Vegan: Standard dose

How to take

🍽 Timing: HMB-Ca: 1 g TID. HMB-FA: more flexible [2].
💊 With food: With or without food [1].
🚫 Avoid: Expecting muscle-building in trained athletes [2].
2 Which form?
FormBioavailabilityVeganCost
['HMB-Ca (calcium salt)', 'common', 'Standard. 1 g TID. Takes 2 weeks to saturate [1].']StandardCheck label
['HMB-FA (free acid, BetaTOR)', 'preferred', 'Faster absorption. May achieve muscle levels more quickly [2].']StandardCheck label
3 Common questions
Does HMB build muscle in athletes? ▼
The evidence says NO for trained athletes. The primary benefit is PREVENTING LOSS in catabolic states. The 2014 Wilson study claiming steroid-like gains was widely criticized and considered implausible. ISSN position supports anti-catabolic use [2].
Who benefits most from HMB? ▼
Elderly with sarcopenia, patients on bed rest, cancer cachexia, and possibly untrained individuals starting exercise. These are catabolic contexts where muscle preservation is the goal [2].
HMB-Ca vs HMB-FA? ▼
HMB-FA (free acid) is absorbed faster and may reach muscle faster. HMB-Ca is cheaper and more widely available. Both work at 3 g/day [1] [2].
4 Clinical evidence

Strong

Muscle preservation in catabolic states: meta-analyses show HMB preserves lean mass during bed rest, aging, and cancer cachexia [2]. ISSN position: effective for minimizing muscle damage from exercise and preserving lean mass in catabolic states [2]. HIGH

Moderate

Elderly sarcopenia: multiple positive trials for lean mass preservation [2]. Bed rest: HMB preserved muscle in 10-day bed rest study [2]. Cancer cachexia: improved lean mass in some trials [2]. Untrained individuals starting exercise: HMB may help initial adaptation [2]. MODERATE

Insufficient

Muscle building in trained athletes: limited/negative evidence. The controversial 2014 Wilson study claiming dramatic muscle gains has been widely criticized for implausible effect sizes [2]. Strength gains in trained athletes [2]. Fat loss [2]. LOW
5 Safety, toxicity & adverse events

Relative

⚠ Limited long-term data
⚠ Pregnancy and lactation — insufficient data

🚩 Red flags

● Patient spending money on HMB for bodybuilding — anti-catabolic, not anabolic [2]
6 Interactions

Supplement synergies

Protein + Vitamin D · 1.2+ g/kg protein + 2,000 IU D3
Sarcopenia triad: HMB (anti-catabolic) + protein (MPS) + vitamin D (muscle function) [2].
7 Regulatory
ISSN: Position stand: effective for minimizing muscle damage and preserving lean mass in catabolic conditions [2].
United States: GRAS. Dietary supplement [1].
HMB vs Whey ProteinHMB vs Creatine
8 Cite this page
Vancouver: Pkhakadze G. HMB — safety profile [Internet]. Tbilisi: PHIG; 2026 [cited 2026 Aug 15]. Available from: https://supplement.ge/ingredients/hmb/
APA 7th: Pkhakadze, G. (2026). HMB — Safety profile. Public Health Institute of Georgia. https://supplement.ge/ingredients/hmb/
📋 Editorial information
Author: Prof. G. Pkhakadze, MD, MPH, PhD
Affiliation: David Tvildiani Medical University (DTMU)
First published: January 2026
Last reviewed: 2026-05-29
Next review: February 2027
References: 2 cited sources
COI: SupplementIndex receives no funding from supplement manufacturers. All content independently authored by PHIG.
Process: Systematic literature review
📄 License & reuse
Published under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). You may share and adapt for any purpose with attribution.
Pkhakadze G. "HMB — Safety Profile." SupplementIndex, PHIG, 2026. https://supplement.ge/ingredients/hmb/ CC BY 4.0.
GP
Prof. G. Pkhakadze, MD, MPH, PhD
Professor of Public Health · Head of Department, DTMU
Editor-in-Chief, Georgian Medical Journal (ISSN 3088-4322)
Chair, Public Health Institute of Georgia · UEMS Public Health Section
Educational and public health purposes. CC BY 4.0. Consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement. Corrections: info@accreditation.ge. Publisher: PHIG