The impact of acute beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) ingestion on glucose and insulin kinetics in young and older men

Philip J J Herrod; Nima Gharahdaghi; Supreeth S Rudrappa; Hannah G Phillips; Reesha A Ranat; Edward J O Hardy; John A Rathmacher; Philip J Atherton; Bethan E Phillips

doi:10.1016/j.jff.2020.104163

The impact of acute beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) ingestion on glucose and insulin kinetics in young and older men

J Funct Foods. 2020 Oct:73:104163. doi: 10.1016/j.jff.2020.104163.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ MRC-ARUK Centre for Musculoskeletal Ageing Research, University of Nottingham, School of Medicine, Royal Derby Hospital Centre, Derby, UK.
² Department of Surgery and Anaesthetics, Royal Derby Hospital, Derby, UK.
³ Metabolic Technologies Inc., Iowa State University Research Park, Iowa, USA.

Abstract

Insulin resistance (IR) is a key feature in the development of numerous metabolic diseases. The cornerstone for treatment for IR remains diet and exercise, however these have poor rates of adherence. Beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) is a nutraceutical with contentious effects on IR in animal models. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of acute HMB on IR in humans during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Young and older male volunteers underwent two 75 g OGTT with or without 3 g HMB. In young men, HMB significantly reduced the insulin area-under-the-curve (AUC), with no difference in glucose AUC, resulting in a numerical increase in the Cederholm index of insulin sensitivity. In older men, HMB had no effect on insulin or glucose responses. In conclusion, acute HMB may improve IR following a glucose load in young men; however, this does not appear to be sustained into older age.

Keywords: Age; Beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate; Glucose tolerance; HMB; Insulin resistance; Supplements.