The Amportant Role of Ca-HMB in Preventing Muscle Loss

Population aging is an objective trend of the development of human society, especially the speed and scale of aging in China is unprecedented. The National Health Commission predicts that by 2035, China's elderly population of aged 60 and above will exceed 400 million, and will enter the stage of severe aging.

Although a number of age-related diseases, such as cognitive decline and bone mass loss, have gotten a lot of media attention, about 70.7 percent of men and 41.9 percent of women aged 65 or above, are experiencing moderate muscle loss, according to the journal Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience. If the decline in strength and health damage caused by the loss of musculoskeletal mass is being ignored, it could lead to debilitation, poor quality of life, and even death; and its widespread and chronic occurrence makes it one of the greatest threats to the health and independence of older adults.

1.A Balanced Intake of Nutrients is Very Important

Many elderly eat little or have difficulty eating, which makes it difficult for them to get the recommended intake of key nutrients such as adequate protein, vitamins D, B6, B12, and the minerals calcium, selenium, and zinc, which are closely related to muscle function. Fortunately, there are nutritional supplements that can be effective in improving muscle health.

In April 2024, the Chinese Society of Food Science and Technology published the Scientific Consensus on the application of calcium β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (Ca-HMB) in the Chinese Food Journal.

1.β-Hydroxy-β-methylbutyric acid (HMB) is a natural metabolite of leucine. Supplementation with Ca-HMB, a novel food ingredient, is an effective approach to stimulate muscle protein synthesis and reduce muscle protein breakdown.

2. Ca-HMB supplementation is beneficial to correct negative nitrogen balance and benefit the muscle health of elderly, muscle decay syndrome and other patients.

3. The safety of Ca-HMB is widely recognized, and increasing its maximum daily consumption limit properly will better help the health benefits of the target population and the development of industrial applications ^[1].

At present, Ca-HMB has been approved by China, the European Union, the United States, Canada, Japan and many other countries and regions. Over the past three decades, more than 150 human studies, more than 100 review articles, and 14 meta-analyses have demonstrated its value in promoting muscle health and nutrition.

Table 1 Ca-HMB approval status in relevant countries

2. Regular Exercise is A Good Aid

The CDC notes that for elderly, regular physical activity is one of the most important ways to stay healthy. Exercise can help prevent many age-related health problems, reduce the risk of disease, improve mood, support independence, and promote social interaction. Studies have shown a strong relationship between adequate exercise and increased muscle mass and function. Although elderly do not need vigorous exercise, regular activity can reduce the risk of hospitalization, support independent living, and improve overall quality of life.

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