Evidence supporting the use of: HMB hydroxymethylbutyrate
For the health condition: Chemotherapy (reducing side effects)

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Beta-hydroxy beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) is a metabolite of the amino acid leucine and is primarily known for its role in supporting muscle mass and function. Its use in the context of chemotherapy is based on its potential to help reduce or counteract muscle wasting (cachexia) and loss of body mass, which are common side effects of cancer treatments.

There is some scientific evidence suggesting that HMB supplementation may help attenuate muscle loss in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. A limited number of clinical studies and small randomized controlled trials have explored the effects of HMB, often in combination with other nutrients like arginine and glutamine, on muscle mass and strength in cancer patients. Some results indicate modest benefits in preserving lean body mass and improving quality of life, particularly in patients at risk of malnutrition or severe muscle wasting. For example, a study published in Nutrition (2019) found that an oral nutritional supplement containing HMB, arginine, and glutamine was associated with less loss of fat-free mass in advanced cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Despite these findings, the overall evidence base remains limited by small sample sizes, heterogeneous study designs, and mixed results. There is insufficient high-quality, large-scale evidence to support routine use of HMB specifically for reducing chemotherapy side effects beyond muscle preservation. Major guidelines do not yet recommend HMB as standard supportive care for chemotherapy patients. Therefore, while there is some scientific rationale and preliminary evidence, it is not robust or widely validated at this time.

More about HMB hydroxymethylbutyrate
More about Chemotherapy (reducing side effects)

Other ingredients used for Chemotherapy (reducing side effects)

3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoic acid
Acemannan
AHCC
Alkylglycerols
Aloe vera
Alpha Glucans
Alpha lactalbumin
alpha-glycosyl isoquercitrin
alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG)
alpha-lipoic acid
amino acids
anthocyanins
Antrodia camphorata
astaxanthin
astragalus
Baikal Skullcap
BCAA
benzyl isothiocyanate
beta caryophyllene
Bifidobacteria
Bifidobacterium
Bifidobacterium adolescentis
Bifidobacterium animalis
Bifidobacterium bifidum
Bifidobacterium breve
Bifidobacterium infantis
Bifidobacterium lactis
Bifidobacterium longum
black cumin
black currant
blueberry
Boswellic Acid
branched-chain amino acids
bromelain
C-phycocyanin
cannabidiol
cannabigerol
Cannabis sativa oil
caryophyllene
chamomile
chlorella
Clostridium butyricum
Codonopsis
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
coix
colostrum
curcumin
Curcuminoid
cyclodextrin
d-alpha tocopherol
dithiolthiones
ergothioneine
fish oil
folinic acid
fucoidan
ginger
Glutamine
Glutathione
grape
green tea
Haematococcus pluvialis
hemp
hemp oil
herbal blend (proprietary)
hericium mushroom
HMB hydroxymethylbutyrate
Honokiol
hydroxymethylbutyrate
Hyphomycetes
L-alanyl-L-glutamine
L-carnosine
L-cysteine
L-glutamine
L-glutathione
L-glycine
L-taurine
Lactobacillus
Lactobacillus acidophilus
Lactobacillus brevis
Lactobacillus bulgaricus
Lactobacillus lactis
Lactobacillus plantarum
Lactoferrin
lactoglobulin
Lentinan
Lentinula edodes mycelia
licorice root
lion's mane
luteolin
Marine lipid
Matcha
Melatonin
Mesima
Methylselenocysteine
Milk Protein
Milk thistle
Mistletoe
Mushroom
N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
Oldenlandia diffusa
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)
Peptides
Phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC)
phytocannabinoids
polysaccharides
pomegranate
probiotics
protein
pyridoxal-5-phosphate (P-5-P)
quercetin
reishi mushroom
resveratrol
Saccharomyces boulardii
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
selenium
Selenomethionine
shiitake mushroom
Silychristin
soy isoflavones
spirulina
streptococcus thermophilus
Sulforaphane
Thymidine
Thymoquinone
tributyrin
Turkey tail mushroom
turmeric
Typhonium flagelliforme
Verbascoside
vitamin B6
vitamin C
vitamin E
Whey protein
Zinc

Products containing HMB hydroxymethylbutyrate

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.