Losing weight does not always mean losing only fat. When the body does not receive enough energy, physical activity decreases, or certain life stages are reached, muscle mass can also decline.
And there lies one of the mistakes worth avoiding when slimming: focusing solely on the scale and neglecting muscle care.
Nutritionist Isabel Viña draws attention to an issue that often goes unnoticed: as important as building muscle is preventing its loss. “It’s like laying bricks and someone removing them at the same time,” she explains, describing what happens when you try to gain muscle without paying attention to its preservation.
Muscle mass not only influences strength or physical appearance. It is also important for mobility, autonomy and the maintenance of functional capacity with age.
That is why preserving it should be part of any health care strategy, especially during weight loss or periods of inactivity.
“It’s not enough to lose kilos”: why it is important to preserve muscle
When talking about weight loss, the goal is usually to reduce the body fat percentage. However, weight loss can also involve a reduction in lean mass, especially if it is not accompanied by proper nutrition and strength training.
Injuries, sedentary behavior, certain treatments and prolonged periods of inactivity can also hinder the maintenance of the musculature.
Moreover, with age it becomes especially important to preserve strength and the ability to perform everyday activities.
Therefore, Viña insists that it is not enough to look at what the scale shows. The objective should also be to maintain muscular strength and functionality, two aspects that can go unnoticed when all the attention is on losing kilos.
Nutrition, ample protein intake and resistance training remain the pillars for caring for muscle mass. Supplements can play a complementary role in certain cases, but they do not replace these habits.
HMB, Taurine and Vitamins: what the supplement Isabel Viña talks about contains
In this context, the nutritionist presents Muscle Growth, a Be Levels dietary supplement formulated with HMB, taurine and vitamins D3 and K2. Her proposal focuses on supporting muscle maintenance through a combination of ingredients with different functions.
One of its main components is HMB, a substance the body produces from leucine, an essential amino acid found in protein-rich foods. The amount naturally generated is limited, so its intake through supplements has also been studied.
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According to Viña, HMB is studied for its possible role in reducing the degradation of muscle proteins. The available evidence, however, varies depending on individual characteristics and the studied situation, so it should not be interpreted as a guarantee of preserving or gaining muscle.
The formula also includes taurine, a compound that participates in different physiological processes, including the regulation of cellular balance. In addition to these, vitamins D3 and K2 are included, respectively linked to muscle function and bone maintenance.
The combination of these ingredients is Muscle Growth’s proposal, although its potential benefits must be considered within a broader context: the context of nutrition, exercise, rest, and individual needs.
HMB or creatine: are they the same?
Although both ingredients appear in the world of sports supplementation, HMB and creatine are not equivalent. Creatine is mainly used to enhance performance in short, high-intensity efforts, while HMB is studied for its possible effect on metabolism and the degradation of muscle proteins.
That does not mean one is always better than the other. Their usefulness depends on the goal, the training, the diet, and the individual circumstances.
In some cases they can be combined, but not everyone needs to take multiple supplements to care for their musculature.
Before incorporating one into a routine, it is advisable to assess whether there is a real need and to consult with a healthcare professional when there are illnesses, treatments, or doubts about its suitability.
The habit that should not be missing to maintain muscle mass
Beyond supplements, there is one recommendation that remains fundamental: regularly engage in resistance training. Coupled with adequate nutrition, with proteins suited to individual needs, this helps create the conditions necessary to preserve muscle mass.
It’s also wise to avoid excessively restrictive weight-loss strategies and to pay attention to strength progression, not only to body weight.
The message from Isabel Viña ultimately calls for a shift in focus: it isn’t only about shedding pounds, but about taking care of what keeps the body strong and functional. The scale may provide a number, but it does not tell the whole story on its own.
