HMB and Protein Combo Boosts Muscle Synthesis in Older Women; Challenges for Formulators
A new Abbott-funded study reveals adding 3g HMB to 40g whey protein significantly enhances muscle protein synthesis in older women, while reducing muscle breakdown in both sexes. This necessitates targeted reformulation for age-specific and gender-specific muscle health products.
AI-assisted coverage: produced by SF News' automated newsroom from the cited sources and checked by automated attribution gates. Editorial responsibility: Lee Smith, Group CEO. How we work →
London, United Kingdom — 12 June 2026
New research funded by Abbott Nutrition, published in Nutrients, demonstrates that combining 3g of beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) with a 40g whey protein bolus significantly improves muscle protein synthesis (MPS) in older women aged 65–75 years. The study, conducted by researchers from Abbott and the University of Nottingham, also found that HMB prolonged the suppression of muscle protein breakdown (MPB) in both older men and women, irrespective of the additional MPS benefits.
The findings address the challenge of anabolic resistance in older adults, where higher protein doses are typically required to stimulate MPS. While 40g of whey protein alone increased MPS, the addition of HMB specifically enhanced this response in older women. No additional MPS benefit from HMB was observed in older men, suggesting sex-specific physiological responses. This indicates HMB may activate mTOR-independent pathways in women, augmenting protein synthesis beyond what high protein alone achieves.
This study provides critical mechanistic evidence for HMB's role in improving muscle anabolism, particularly for populations at elevated risk of sarcopenia and falls. The researchers recruited 24 healthy adults, utilising a randomised, double-blind crossover design to compare 40g whey protein versus 40g whey protein plus 3g HMB. Measures included body composition, blood sampling, muscle biopsies, and stable isotope tracer infusion to assess MPS and MPB over a three-hour post-ingestion period.
"These data provide mechanistic evidence for the clinical potential of HMB in conjunction with high protein to improve muscle anabolism in populations at greater risk of muscle loss and falls, especially older adults," stated the researchers. The study underscores the necessity for larger, sex-stratified trials to fully elucidate these nuanced nutritional responses in ageing demographics.<
What this means for United Kingdom
UK brand owners must immediately consider reformulating healthy ageing product lines, prioritising specific SKU development for older women. Products should target a 3g HMB and 40g whey protein dose to align with new clinical data, offering a competitive edge. Regulatory teams must ensure all claims adhere to FSA and MHRA guidelines regarding muscle health and protein. Procurement leads should assess HMB supply chains, as demand for this ingredient, especially from suppliers like TSI, is likely to surge, potentially impacting pricing and availability. Manufacturers should focus on developing palatable, high-protein liquid formats suitable for an older demographic.
The study was funded by Abbott Nutrition, which already markets muscle health shakes combining whey protein with TSI’s myHMB. This market validation from a major player like Abbott signals a robust commercial opportunity for targeted muscle maintenance and recovery formulations.
Brand owners increasingly rely on contract-manufacturing partners such as Supplement Factory to navigate these requirements.