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HMB, a breakdown product of the amino acid leucine, is sold to preserve muscle and is added to some medical drinks for cancer weight loss, often with arginine and glutamine. A larger randomised trial of that combination in cancer wasting found no significant effect, and analyses show at most small gains in muscle across other illnesses.
Memorial Sloan Kettering's About Herbs entry describes HMB as a leucine metabolite used to reduce muscle protein breakdown, with mixed results in young active men and some positive small studies in older people. Very few studies are in cancer: HMB is often combined with glutamine and arginine for muscle wasting and cachexia, but a larger randomised trial failed to show a significant effect; one small study suggests an HMB-containing supplement may help prevent radiation dermatitis in head and neck cancer. Meta-analyses across clinical conditions suggest small increases in muscle and strength, with little to no effect when added to exercise in older adults. Laboratory studies show HMB stimulates mTOR signalling, an effect reduced by the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin; whether HMB reduces the effectiveness of mTOR inhibitor drugs such as everolimus is not known. Nutritional assessment, adequate energy and protein, exercise and, where appropriate, licensed drugs for cachexia are the evidence-based approach.
Reduces muscle protein breakdown and stimulates protein synthesis through mTOR in laboratory models.
Query for this technology: (TITLE:"beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate" OR ABSTRACT:"beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate" OR TITLE:"Beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate" OR ABSTRACT:"Beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate" OR TITLE:"HMB, arginine and glutamine" OR ABSTRACT:"HMB, arginine and glutamine") AND (cancer OR tumor OR tumour OR oncology OR carcinoma OR lymphoma OR leukemia OR leukaemia OR myeloma OR sarcoma OR melanoma OR glioma). Results are unfiltered search hits about HMB (beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate), not a curated reading list.
Shares Glutamine for mucositis and neuropathy, Dietary supplements during cancer treatment: interactions and harms, Evidence-based integrative oncology, Toxicity and quality of life are undervalued and the tags complementary, supportive-care.
Shares Carnitine and acetyl-L-carnitine, Dietary supplements during cancer treatment: interactions and harms, Evidence-based integrative oncology, Toxicity and quality of life are undervalued and the tags complementary, supportive-care.
Shares Radiation dermatitis (skin reaction), Dietary supplements during cancer treatment: interactions and harms, Evidence-based integrative oncology, Toxicity and quality of life are undervalued and the tags complementary, supportive-care.
Shares Sirolimus, Dietary supplements during cancer treatment: interactions and harms, Evidence-based integrative oncology, Toxicity and quality of life are undervalued and the tags complementary, supportive-care.
Shares Radiation dermatitis (skin reaction), Dietary supplements during cancer treatment: interactions and harms, Evidence-based integrative oncology, Toxicity and quality of life are undervalued and the tags complementary, supportive-care.
Shares Radiation dermatitis (skin reaction), Dietary supplements during cancer treatment: interactions and harms, Evidence-based integrative oncology, Toxicity and quality of life are undervalued and the tags complementary, supportive-care.
Shares Radiation dermatitis (skin reaction), Evidence-based integrative oncology, Toxicity and quality of life are undervalued and the tags complementary, supportive-care.
Shares Resistance training and protein for cachexia and sarcopenia, Sarcopenia, Cancer cachexia and the tags complementary, supportive-care.
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