Zeitschrift für klinische Ernährung und Stoffwechsel

The Potential Role of Î’-Hydroxy-Î’-Methylbutyrate in Preventing Muscle Loss in Chronic Diseases

Chen-Kang Chang

Loss of lean body mass is apparent in many chronic diseases, such as cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and heart failure. The loss is a combined consequence of clinical conditions, loss of appetite, and lack of physical activity. In addition, even short-term hospitalization would increase the risk for loss of lean body mass. It has been shown that this malnutrition state significantly increased the length of hospitalization, readmission rate, and mortality.