Supplementation with CrM and HMB May Help Boost Testosterone Levels

Creatine monohydrate (CrM) and beta-hydroxy beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) supplements are often used by athletes to gain muscle and enhance performance. According to a new study, supplementation with a combination of CrM and HMB may also help increase testosterone levels and increase aerobic power.

Twenty-eight elite male rowers with more than 5 years of high-level rowing experience participated in the study. Blood samples were taken at baseline and at the end of the study. The participants performed 1.5-hour training sessions 6 times per week for 10 weeks. A nutritionist developed a personalized diet for each participant. They took one of the following four supplements daily for 10 weeks:

1. 04 g/kg/day of CrM;
2. 3 g/day HMB;
3. 04 g/kg/day of CrM plus 3 g/day HMB;
4. A placebo.

At the end of the study period, participants in the combined CrM and HMB group had significantly higher increases in levels of testosterone compared to the other three groups. They also had greater changes in the testosterone/cortisol ratio, which is a measure of how well athletes are recovering from their training. In addition, the CrM and HMB group had significantly higher aerobic power during a rowing test.

The study was conducted by researchers from the University of the Basque Country and the University of Valladolid. It was published online ahead of print on January 15 2020 in the journal Biomolecules.