Supplement Review: Blonyx HMB+Creatine
HMB+ Creatine is a high quality, clean, paleo friendly supplement that speeds strength development and muscle repair in training athletes. It is made to be simple, additive free and easy to understand while also being safe to take and independently shown to be effective.
Ingredients Overview
HMB is important in muscle health. It is stored in the muscles and used to build, maintain and repair muscle cells. The body makes HMB by breaking down the amino acid leucine found in the protein we eat. Only about 5% of leucine is turned into HMB. The HMB made by the body is topped up with HMB found in food. Some foods, like alfalfa, fish and grapefruit, contain higher amounts of HMB. Research shows that supplementing the diet with an additional 3g/day HMB improves athletic performance in training athletes.
Creatine is stored in the muscle and acts as a very rapid, but limited source of energy for very high intensity muscle contractions. The body makes creatine in the liver, kidneys, and the pancreas by breaking down the amino acids glycine and arginine found in dietary protein. We top up this creatine with that found in the food we eat. Red meat as well as certain fish, like herring, are high in creatine. Research shows that taking 3-5g/day of creatine increases strength and muscle mass in training athletes.
Synergy
HMB and creatine both increase strength when training involves movements like deadlifts, squats and bench press.
The HMB in HMB + Creatine improves endurance performance in athletes running, and cycling.
Both HMB and creatine speed muscle mass gains with training.
Creatine adds body water weight. This can be good for strength athletes, but can inhibit athletes working on body weight movements, speed or endurance.
HMB reduces the recovery time required between training sessions through decreasing muscle damage from training.
Both HMB and creatine have been shown to have a series of health benefits.
How It Works
HMB is thought to work by slowing muscle protein breakdown and speeding protein production in muscle. This has a protective effect, reducing exercise induced damage, and also speeds recovery and adaptation. Creatine is thought to work by increasing the body's store of Creatine-Phosphate (CR-P). CR-P provides energy rapidly when doing high intensity explosive movements such as a clean, a snatch or a sprint start.
HMB + CREATINE IS FOR:
Weight lifters not currently cutting weight
CrossFit affiliate athletes who want to increase strength
Sports athletes who want to increase power
BUY BLONYX HMB+CREATINE
Blonyx is one of the few companies to hold a license to sell HMB. Licensed products must state this on the label: "Nutritional uses of Calcium β-Hydroxy β-Methylbutyrate Monohydrate are licensed to [brand name] under U.S. Patent # 6, 103, 764".
Blonyx products are made in a facility that is both NSF (GMP) and NSF (GMP for sport) certified to ensure quality and minimize the risk of contamination. As a further precaution they also have samples from every batch tested for banned substances by an independent lab.
Review
One of the most studied and widely used supplements is creatine monohydrate - and for good reason, it works. HMB, a metabolite of Leucine that aids in recovery, may not be as widely known, but it is extremely effective. Blonyx HMB+ Creatine brings the two together, at full clinically studied doses, with no unnecessary ingredients or artificial flavors. This creates a straightforward product that speeds up strength gains and size gains.
The daily recommended serving for Creatine Monohydrate is 5 grams. For HMB, it is 3 grams. Each scoop (serving) of HMB+ Creatine is 2.5g creatine monohydrate and 1.5g HMB. Taken twice per day, this provides clinically studied doses of each ingredient.
Taste + Purity
Although HMB+ comes unflavored, taking it on its own is very tolerable. The ingredients are high quality, and do not produce any strange chemical flavors. It also mixes very well into your preferred pre-workout, amino acid, or any other supplement. One thing to note with quality creatine monohydrate is the lack of bloat that is sometimes caused by lower quality ingredients. HMB+ Creatine caused very little bloat for me.
Quality
All Blonyx products are made in the USA in a NSF (GMP for Sport) compliant facility. The finished products are tested in an independent lab to be sure to meet label claims. Furthermore, Blonyx is one of the few companies to hold a license to sell HMB.
Results
I used HMB+ Creatine during a lean gain phase, with most days in a small caloric surplus. During this phase, my strength increased as expected and recovery seemed to get better the longer I used the product. Not only was recovery improved, but endurance was increased as well. This allowed me to push the volume of training, and take advantage of the caloric intake.
By the end of my tub, I had gained 3 lbs. With 10+ years of training experience, this is a noteworthy gain.
Verdict
With the given results, and ample amount of clinical data backing up the ingredients in HMB+ Creatine, I would highly suggest this product if it fits your budget. HMB is a relatively expensive ingredient, and pushes this price point of this product to ~$60 for a 30 day supply. But in comparison to other products in the same category, HMB+ Creatine is an efficient and effective product capable of increasing power, endurance, recovery and muscle mass.
BUY BLONYX HMB+CREATINE
