Though the trend may be new, Americans' interest in protein is not. Protein has been the most actively sought nutrient by Americans for five consecutive years, with 70% of Americans in 2025 reporting they are trying to consume it. From protein-packed breakfasts to a growing lineup of powders, bars, shakes and protein-enhanced snacks, protein is everywhere.
Protein provides the amino acids needed to build and maintain muscle. But when it comes to supporting muscle health over time, protein is only one part of the picture. A more comprehensive nutrition approach can help support strength, power, preservation and recovery for the long run.
Why Muscle Health Matters Beyond the Gym
Muscle supports the strength and mobility needed for everyday activities and an active lifestyle. It helps make possible things that may not feel like exercise at all, from carrying groceries and climbing stairs to keeping up with kids, traveling or enjoying a favorite hobby. This makes muscle health relevant to anyone who wants to remain active and independent, not just athletes, bodybuilders, or weekend warriors.
Muscle mass can begin to decline as early as age 40, with losses often accelerating with aging, inactivity and illness. That is why it can be helpful to think about muscle health proactively, before changes in strength or mobility become noticeable. Pairing regular physical activity with the right nutrition can help adults maintain the strength needed for an active lifestyle.
Muscle Health Is Not One-Dimensional
Muscle is constantly adapting to how we move, eat and age. That means a complete approach to muscle health goes beyond a single nutrient or ingredient and considers three key areas: build, preserve, and recover.
Build: Protein Provides the Building Blocks for Muscle
Social media often turns protein into a numbers game, but individual protein needs vary and consuming more is not always the answer. Protein provides the essential amino acids used to build muscle tissue when combined with resistance training, making it a cornerstone of muscle support. For many people, the goal should not simply be to add protein wherever possible, but to include enough protein as part of a varied and balanced eating pattern that meets their individual needs.
Muscle health also depends on regular activity, particularly resistance exercise, which provides a stimulus for muscle growth and adaptation. Think of resistance exercise as the signal and protein as the building material. Building muscle is important, but it is only one part of maintaining muscle health over time.
Preserve: HMB Helps Preserve the Muscle You Have
The amount of muscle in the body is not fixed; muscle proteins are continuously undergoing synthesis and breakdown. In other words, muscle health is about more than building new muscle. It is also about preserving the muscle you already have.
Beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) is derived from the essential amino acid leucine. HMB helps preserve muscle tissue by slowing muscle protein breakdown. Because HMB is found in only very small amounts in food, it can be difficult to get meaningful amounts through diet alone.
Recover: Creatine Supports Strength and Recovery
When combined with resistance training, creatine adds another important dimension by supporting muscle strength and power as well as recovery from and during high-intensity exercise.
Creatine is a naturally occurring compound found in foods such as meat and fish and is primarily stored in muscle where it helps provide energy during high-intensity activity.
Putting It All Together: A Complete Approach to Muscle Health
The protein maxxing trend has helped bring protein and muscle health into everyday conversations. The next step is adding nuance to that conversation.
Rather than focusing on one nutrient or simply trying to maximize protein intake, a more complete approach to muscle health considers the different nutrition tools that can help support muscle throughout life. Along with regular physical activity, protein, HMB and creatine can support different aspects of muscle health, including muscle building, preservation, and exercise recovery, respectively.
A Three-in-One Approach to Muscle Health
For those looking for a convenient way to support their muscle health, a supplement that brings these ingredients together can help simplify a daily routine. Ensure® Max Protein 3-in-1 Muscle Support is formulated with three key ingredients that support distinct aspects of muscle health, so consumers do not have to manage a separate protein powder, HMB supplement and creatine supplement.
Designed for daily use as part of a balanced diet and active lifestyle, Ensure Max Protein 3-in-1 provides:
- 30 grams of protein: The high-quality protein in Ensure Max Protein 3-in-1 Muscle Support delivers all the essential amino acids to help build muscle tissue when combined with resistance training*
- 3 grams of calcium HMB (beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate): Ensure Max Protein 3-in-1 Muscle Support contains the studied amount of calcium HMB shown to help preserve muscle tissue by slowing protein breakdown*
- 5 grams of creatine monohydrate: Ensure Max Protein 3-in-1 contains creatine monohydrate, one of the most studied forms of the ingredient, to help support muscle strength and power† as well as exercise recovery from and during high-intensity exercise*
Together, these ingredients offer a convenient three-in-one approach for adults who want to support muscle health as part of an active lifestyle.
