Long-term Effects of Calcium β-Hydroxy-β-Methylbutyrate and Vitamin D3 Supplementation on Muscular Function in Older Adults With and Without Resistance Training: A Randomized, Double-blind, Controlled Study

Abstract

The primary aim of this study was to determine whether supplementation with calcium β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB) and Vitamin D3 (D) would enhance muscle function and strength in older adults. Older adults over 60 years of age with insufficient circulating 25-hydroxy-Vitamin D (25OH-D) levels were enrolled in a double-blinded controlled 12-month study. Study participants were randomly assigned to treatments consisting of: (a) Control + no exercise; (b) HMB+D + no exercise; (c) Control + exercise, and (d) HMB+D + exercise. The study evaluated 117 participants consisting of multiple measurements over the 12 months that included body composition, strength, functionality, and questionnaires. HMB+D had a significant benefit on lean body mass within the non-exercise group at 6 months (0.44±0.27kg, HMB+D vs. -0.33±0.28kg control, p<0.05). In non-exercisers, improvement in knee extension peak torque (60°/sec) was significantly greater in HMB+D supplemented participants than in non-supplemented group (p=0.04) at 3 months, 10.9 ± 5.7Nm and -5.2 ± 5.9Nm, respectively. A composite functional index, integrating changes in handgrip, Get Up, and Get Up and Go measurements, was developed. HMB+D + no exercise resulted in significant increases in the functional index compared to those observed in the control + no exercise group at 3 (p=0.03), 6 (p=0.04), and 12 months (p=0.04). Supplementation with HMB+D did not further improve the functional index within the exercising group. This study demonstrated the potential of HMB and Vitamin D3 supplementation to enhance muscle strength and physical functionality in older adults, even in individuals not engaged in an exercise training program

"Enhancing Patient Outcomes with Clinical Nutrition: The Effects of Supplementation in Orthopedics"

“…This doubleblind controlled 12-month study by Rathmacher et al found that HMB in combination with Vitamin D had a significant benefit on lean body mass and showed improvement in knee extension peak torque even with no exercise. Overall, their findings showed that even without exercise, the HMB+ Vitamin D supplemented group showed significant increases in functional outputs than those in controls [11]. Interestingly, HMB has also been shown to increase anabolic signaling [12].…”

A Review of Clinical Trials about Vitamin D Supplementation's Effect on Physical Performance of Community Dwelling Oldest-Olds

“…In the study by Bislev, et al [20], contrary to expectations, there was a significant 4% reduction in handgrip strength. On the other hand, at Rathmacher, et al's [33] clinical trial, supplementation with cholecalciferol, calcium and β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB) improved muscle strength and physical functionality even in participants not engaged in the exercise program. In Lee, et al's [27] study, cholecalciferol supplementation and resistance training enhanced muscle mass and reduced time to walk a standard course.…”

Molecular networks underlying cannabinoid signaling in skeletal muscle plasticity

“…Consequently, strategies to maintain or increase muscle mass are crucial, especially in populations suffering from sarcopenia, obesity, or cachexia. Currently, resistance exercise per se or in combination with supplementation, for example, proteins, ω −3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, and vitamin D, is considered the primary intervention to overcome muscle wasting (Dalle et al, 2021; Rathmacher et al, 2020). Unfortunately, ageing, frailty, and disease can decrease the sensitivity toward anabolic stimuli such as resistance exercise, partly due to insulin insensitivity, inflammation, and inactivity (Dalle et al, 2017; Kumar et al, 2009; Morton et al, 2018; Reitelseder et al, 2021).…”

“…the primary intervention to overcome muscle wasting Rathmacher et al, 2020). Unfortunately, ageing, frailty, and disease can decrease the sensitivity toward anabolic stimuli such as resistance exercise, partly due to insulin insensitivity, inflammation, and inactivity (Dalle et al, 2017;Kumar et al, 2009;Morton et al, 2018;Reitelseder et al, 2021).…”