Creatine Plus HMB for Healthy Ageing: What a Small Trial Tested

Quick answer: Creatine and HMB are studied for muscle-related outcomes, but one small combined-product trial cannot establish that either supplement will preserve strength or mobility for everyone. The selected study is completed, yet its registry has no posted results. Exercise, adequate protein and medical context still come first.

What are creatine and HMB?

Creatine is a compound involved in rapid energy supply in muscle. HMB, or beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate, is a metabolite of the amino acid leucine. They are sold separately and together, but a study of the combination cannot tell us how much each ingredient contributed to any outcome.

Healthy ageing is also broader than a supplement label. Strength, balance, mobility, adequate food intake, sleep, social activity, medicines and chronic conditions all shape function over time.

What did the completed 2025 trial test?

The completed ClinicalTrials.gov study NCT05951439, sponsored by Universidad de Burgos, enrolled 30 physically active older adults. It used a randomised, triple-masked crossover design comparing 3 g/day of creatine plus 3 g/day of HMB with 6 g/day of inulin placebo. Each intervention period lasted six weeks, separated by a three-week washout.

The registry lists body composition, nutritional assessment, grip and other strength tests, the Short Physical Performance Battery, timed-up-and-go, a 400-metre walk, quality of life and laboratory markers among its outcomes. The study is marked completed in February 2025, but no results are posted on ClinicalTrials.gov. It would therefore be inaccurate to say the trial proved improved muscle mass, strength, walking or quality of life.

What are the study's main limits for shoppers?

• Thirty participants is a small sample.
• The participants were already physically active, so findings may not transfer to frail or sedentary adults.
• The intervention combined creatine and HMB; it cannot isolate either ingredient.
• A six-week period cannot answer every long-term safety or healthy-ageing question.
• No registry results are available to evaluate benefit, harm or uncertainty.

What should come before a supplement decision?

Start with the goal. Is it improving strength, recovering from inactivity, meeting protein needs, reducing falls risk or supporting training? A clinician or dietitian can then look for reversible problems such as low intake, vitamin deficiency, medication effects, pain or an unsuitable exercise plan.

Progressive resistance training, sufficient dietary protein and adequate energy are the foundation of muscle support. Supplements may be considered around that foundation, not as a replacement for it.

Who should check with a clinician?

Ask for individual advice if you have kidney or liver disease, are pregnant or breastfeeding, take multiple medicines, have unexplained weakness or weight loss, or are preparing for surgery. Product purity, dose, hydration and the total supplement stack matter. Stop and seek advice for new swelling, severe cramps, persistent digestive symptoms, rash or other concerning effects.

What is the balanced takeaway?

The trial shows that researchers are testing measurable functional outcomes rather than relying only on marketing language. Until its results are posted and considered alongside larger studies, the honest conclusion is that the benefit of this exact creatine-plus-HMB regimen remains uncertain.

This is general information, not medical advice — consult your doctor. Supplements can interact with health conditions and medicines; do not use them to self-treat unexplained weakness or frailty.

For carefully framed wellness education, visit NTX Wellness.