Originally Posted by
rsbob
Can’t forget placebo effect. Many of the studies showed no net increase in muscle mass but if it works for you, it works for you.
Yes, that's correct. Increased muscle mass is a function of nutrient intake more than it is a function of exercise. One can squat their ass off, but it they don't eat enough, that's what'll happen: smaller ass. Which is a wonderful thing in a way, because it is possible to be both strong and light. See Bruce, Lee.
HMB seems to be about recovery, meaning repairing muscle damage or maybe preventing it to some extent. Thus one can work out harder on more days, and if one eats enough of the right nutrients, yes one will grow. Or if not, not. So far I'm not heavier, just a little faster and a little more endurance from being able to work out on consecutive days again. I got my happy back.
There's an overview of sarcopenia here:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4066461/
It's an issue, starting in the 4th decade of life, as the study says.