Written by Greg Arnold, DC, CSCS. Supplementation with HMB, glutamine, and arginine for 6 months saw a significant 27% improvement in flow-mediated dilatation among the supplement group compared to no change in the placebo group.
Aging is associated with a decline in the ability of blood vessels to relax. This condition is called “impaired endothelial-dependent vasodilation” (1) and is thought to be due to increased cell damage (“oxidative stress”) and inflammation (2, 3). This decline in proper blood vessel function is a precursor to cardiovascular disease, which includes heart disease and stroke and accounts for 1 in 3 of all U.S. deaths at a cost of $473 billion to our healthcare system in 2009 (1).
Now a new study (5) suggests that a certain amino acid combination may be a benefit to blood vessel health in the elderly. The study involved 31 subjects (15 men, 16 women) between the ages of 65 and 87. They received either a supplement containing 3 grams HMB (β-Hydroxy β-Methylbutyrate), 14 grams of glutamine and 14 grams of arginine or a placebo for 6 months. Before and after the study, researchers tested the subjects’ blood vessel health with a test called “flow-mediated dilation” that measures the ability of a blood vessel to relax (dilate) (6).
The researchers chose HMB as it is a breakdown product of the amino acid leucine that has been shown to help maintain healthy levels of inflammation (7) and oxidative stress (8). Glutamine is a component of glutathione, a potent antioxidant (9) and arginine possesses antioxidant properties (10) and is also a precursor of nitric oxide which dilates blood vessels (11).
After 6 months, the researchers noted a 27% increase in flow-mediated dilation among the supplement group compared to no change in the placebo (P = 0.003). Participants were advised to maintain their usual dietary intake, and diet recalls showed no differences in total energy, protein, carbohydrate or fat intake between or within groups. In a diet recall, individuals are asked to recall foods and beverages they consumed in the prior twenty-four hours.
For the researchers, “6 months of dietary supplementation with HMB, glutamine and arginine had a positive impact on vascular endothelial function in older adults” and that “These results are clinically relevant because reduced [blood vessel function] is a known risk factor for cardiovascular diseases”. Finally, the researchers recommend “Further investigation is warranted to elucidate mechanisms and confirm benefits of foods rich in these amino acids on cardiovascular outcomes.”
Source: Ellis, A. C., et al. “Effects of 6-month supplementation with β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate, glutamine and arginine on vascular endothelial function of older adults.” European journal of clinical nutrition (2015).
Posted September 10, 2015.
Greg Arnold is a Chiropractic Physician practicing in Hauppauge, NY. You can contact Dr. Arnold directly by emailing him at PitchingDoc@msn.com or visiting his web site at www.PitchingDoc.com
References:
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- Brandes R, Fleming I, Busse R. Endothelial aging. Cardiovasc Res 2005; 66:286–294
- Yavuz B, Yavuz B, Sener D, Cankurtaran M, Halil M, Ulger Z et al. Advanced age is associated with endothelial dysfunction in healthy elderly subjects. Gerontology 2008; 54: 153–156
- “Cardiovascular Disease at a Glance” posted on the CDC website
- Ellis AC. Effects of 6-month supplementation with β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate, glutamine and arginine on vascular endothelial function of older adults. Eur J Clin Nutr 2015 Aug 26. doi: 10.1038/ejcn.2015.137. [Epub ahead of print]
- Bianchini E, Faita F, Gemignani V, Giannoni M, Demi M. The assessment of flowmediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery. Comp Cardiol 2006; 33: 509–512
- Townsend JR, Fragala MS, Jajtner AR, Gonzalez AM, Wells AJ, Mangine GT et al. β-Hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB)-free acid attenuates circulating TNF-α and TNFR1 expression postresistance exercise. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2013; 115:1173–1182
- Russell ST, Tisdale MJ. Mechanism of attenuation by beta-hydroxybeta- methylbutyrate of muscle protein degradation induced by lipopolysaccharide. Mol Cell Biochem 2009; 330: 171–179
- Melis G, ter Wengel N, Boelens P, van Leeuwen P. Glutamine: recent developments in research on the clinical significance of glutamine. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care 2004; 7: 59–70
- Appleton J. Arginine: clinical potential of a semi-essential amino. Altern Med Rev 2002; 7: 512–522
- Tong B, Barbul A. Cellular and physiological effects of arginine. Mini Rev Med Chem 2004; 4: 823–832.
