3 Grams of HMB powder per day mixed with a smoothie is keeping a relative of mine with cancer from wasting away. Previously, they were losing about 1-2 pounds every few days. Ever since we started supplementing with HMB, they have been maintaining their weight.
Great stuff. Fantastic quality, no frills but gave me exactly what I wanted in an HMB product. HMB isn't meant to be a huge "muscle-gainer" and isn't supposed to provide you a huge boost. What it does do is helps your body with its anti-catabolic effects, meaning when I train fasted...this product works to preserve lean muscle. And it does it about 20x better (proven in studies I don't feel like citing right now) than BCAA's. I'm all in.
I ordered this as a substitute for CLA which I had been taking but seemed to cause digestive issues. I've had no digestive issues with this. My goal in taking it is to reduce any catabolic effects from working out in the mornings. I lift weights and do a lot of HIIT cardio. I've actually gained about 2 pounds since taking this and I wasn't expecting that since I've not increased my calorie count. My body fat scale hasn't indicated an increase in fat, so I'm assuming I'm either reversing some of the muscle loss I'd been experiencing or I'm actually gaining a bit of muscle. I've been taking this for only about 3 weeks so I will update again if I notice any significant changes positive or negative. So far I recommend this based on my own experience with it. I put 1/2 tsp in my beet root juice drink that I have before my workout.
It's hard to isolate the effects of one supplement, of course, but I've been in a mild caloric deficit for 7 weeks and during that time I've lost 12 pounds, maintained my muscle mass and all my lifts have either maintained or gotten a little stronger. I take 4-5 grams of HMB per day along with probably another 10-20 grams of BCAA/glutamine mix. I've taken just BCAA in the past and I do feel that adding the HMB in makes a significant difference in my ability to restrict my calories without wrecking my training or losing muscle. I'll be using this daily for the foreseeable future.
I decided to purchase hmb from BulkSupplements because it was less expensive than Muscletech's version of hmb called Clear Muscle. I was purchasing Clear Muscle from Walmart for a little over $20. At recommend dose the bottle is only a one week supply. Half the time they didn't have it in stock which makes taking it consistently a problem, and like with most supplements, consistency with hmb is key. Vitaminshoppe sells Clear Muscle with a month's supply for $80. I bought the 250 gram bag of hmb from BulkSupplements for less than $20 and at the same dosage as Clear Muscle, this will last me close to 3 months.
BulkSupplement's gave me the same results as Clear Muscle - better recovery, added strength and endurance in the gym and when running, and helped preserve pump and muscle - but for way less $ for way more product.
The only downside to BulkSupplements hmb powder over Clear Muscle is that BulkSupplement is a powder and Clear muscle is a pill. Therefore you have to deal with a nasty taste compared to none. Also, you are supposed to dose hmb 3 times a day - one in morning, one in afternoon, one in evening. That makes the pills more convenient when you aren't at home at those times. However both of these downsides can be solved with a pill capsule machine. They are cheap and easy to use. I just suck it up and do the good old toss and wash - put a flavored liquid in your mouth, tilt your head back then drop the scoop of powder in the back of your throat and swallow!
Feature Product
- Clean & pure powder
- Lab tested for verification & guaranteed purity
- Factory-sealed foil zip pouch
- Inhibits muscle breakdown
- Promotes muscle growth & recovery
Description
HMB (Calcium Beta-Hydroxy B-Methylbutyrate Monohydrate) is a leucine metabolite produced in the body through oxidation. It is intended to help prevent protein breakdown in the muscles and in the process may improve growth, development and recovery post-exercise. Leucine is a branched chain amino acid that helps the body produce energy, making it a popular supplement among athletes.
I've been taking this pretty consistently for three to four weeks now. It tastes pretty awful if mixed with a small amount of water, but 1/2 tsp. mixed into about 20 oz of water its pretty much tasteless. I usually mix it into some other flavored drink though. Oddly enough I find it makes the drink less refreshing, but maybe that's just me. I usually drink about half before/during my workout and the other half after. I lift weights 5 to 6 times a week and run 2 to 3 times. I've been on a keto diet, and roughly lose .5 to 1 lb a week, which isn't a lot, but I'm a tiny person anyway (5'2, 113lbs), so not necessarily looking to lose a ton.. I think this is helping me maintain my muscle mass while losing fat though, but its hard to know what changes would have occurred if I wasn't taking it. A better test might be to stop working out and test max lifts before and after, but I'm not going to stop working out, so, I'll just assume its helping with my recomp efforts. I isn't helping me get stronger, but its not supposed to.
I like bulk supplements for the simple fact I can control my dosing and add it to my morning shake or oatmeal so easily.
Much prefer powders to pills and BS has the best price/quality ratio I've been able to find. If only they would fix the useless ziploc bag.
As for this specific product I've only been taking it about a week but my workouts have been great. Admittedly I also changed my pre-workout so not sure which is helping more.
One important note about this product MAKE SURE IT IS WELL MIXED. I had added it to some coconut water post workout and gave it a quick shake. It didn't dissolve very well and ended up getting a big mouthful of it that I involuntarily spit up, and felt a burn in my throat. I've tried a lot of supplements and tasted a lot of bad stuff in the name of gainzs but this takes the cake as far as being terrible tasting.
Don't get me wrong so long as it is well mixed you shoudn't taste it or have any issue taking it. Just don't make the mistake I did and try to drink a clump of it.
I have only used it for a week, so we will have to see if it's as effective as research claims it can be. I still gave it 5 stars for how CHEAP it is compared to any other source of HMB. However, be advised that it TASTES TERRIBLE. Bitter does not begin to describe the painful burning of this stuff. It dissolves well in warm to hot liquid, not so much cold water (lots of clumping). You also want to have a particularly strong flavor aid if you're hoping to mask the flavor.
I've read a lot about HMB and it seems to be mixed in terms of what type of results. We will see long term if it improves my performance. However, you can't beat the price or quality from BulkSupplements. Seriously! Skip the expensiuve pre and post workout mixes and just create your own! Easy to follow dosage instructions (don't need a scale, just some tea and tablespoons.)
Also... you just can't beat the price! Always pleased with BulkSupplements products!
I’ve been taking this product for allmost one month now and I have to say that I’m seeing great results as far as my strength and reps. I’ve gained strength and I’m getting stronger. I’m also using this product because I’m fasting. So far I’m seeing results. The only con is that the product smells a little weird ( like fish) can’t describe the smell. I’m not really crazy about the smell, but I think it’s working overall.
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