Synopsis

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

Hydroxymethylbutyrate (HMB) is a metabolite of the amino acid leucine and has been studied for its potential to reduce muscle wasting and support muscle mass. In the context of chemotherapy, HMB has been investigated primarily for its ability to counteract cancer cachexia—the severe muscle loss that can accompany cancer and its treatments. A limited number of studies, including small clinical trials and pilot studies, suggest that HMB supplementation (often in combination with other nutrients such as arginine and glutamine) may help attenuate muscle loss and improve physical function in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. For example, some studies report improvements in lean body mass and quality of life, but the sample sizes are often small and the results are not always consistent.

Importantly, there is little direct evidence that HMB reduces the general side effects of chemotherapy (such as nausea, fatigue, or immunosuppression), outside of its potential impact on muscle preservation. Most medical guidelines do not include HMB as a standard supportive care intervention for chemotherapy patients, and more robust, large-scale trials are needed to confirm its efficacy and safety in this setting. Therefore, while there is some scientific rationale and preliminary evidence, the support for HMB's use in reducing chemotherapy-associated muscle wasting is limited and should be considered investigational.

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