Beschrijving
Anti-Catabolic Activa.TOR⁹
Protect the muscle you worked for.
The most concentrated HMB supplement we know of on the market: 6,400mg free-acid HMB and 6,400mg pharmaceutical-grade Ajipure® L-Leucine per serving, delivered on a fast-carbohydrate carrier with a 4-form magnesium complex, active vitamin B6 and BioPerine®. Built to be taken before and during hard training — when muscle breakdown actually happens.
Pick your goal. The formula does the rest.
Stop long sessions eating your muscle
Runners, cyclists, triathletes, rowers and swimmers lose lean tissue to hours of training, low-glycogen sessions and high weekly volume. Anti-Catabolic Activa.TOR⁹ puts the two most studied anti-catabolic nutrients into your body before the damage starts.
Train heavy, recover complete
Free-acid HMB has been studied most in resistance-trained athletes under high-volume, periodised programmes. Pair it with leucine to support muscle protein synthesis after every heavy session.
Lose fat, keep the muscle
A calorie deficit is a catabolic environment. HMB and leucine are the two ingredients most researched for preserving lean mass while body fat comes down.
Keep muscle on your frame after 40
Age-related muscle loss accelerates when protein intake and training stimulus drop. Leucine and HMB are the amino-acid tools most studied for supporting muscle mass in older adults who stay active.
Recovery starts before training, not after it.
Every hard training session breaks muscle protein down. That is normal and necessary — it is the signal to adapt. The problem is hypercatabolism: the excessive breakdown of muscle protein that happens when training volume, intensity or frequency outruns your ability to recover. Pro athletes live in this state for weeks at a time; ambitious amateurs hit it every time they ramp up a block.
When breakdown exceeds what your post-workout recovery can repair, the result is predictable: lean mass drifts down, soreness lingers, performance plateaus and the risk of overuse injury climbs. No amount of protein after the session fully closes that gap.
Anti-catabolic factors are nutrients that reduce the rate of muscle protein breakdown. Taken before and during training, they lower the damage done — so your recovery nutrition has less to repair and does its job better. That is exactly what SCN™ Anti-Catabolic Activa.TOR⁹ is built for, with the two most researched anti-catabolic nutrients at doses most HMB supplements do not come close to.
Nine ingredients. One job: keep your muscle.
- High anti-catabolic effect — a clinically relevant free-acid HMB dose plus leucine to reduce muscle protein breakdown during demanding training.
- Faster, more complete recovery — less tissue damage means less to repair; support lean-mass maintenance and come back ready for the next session.
- Ajipure® L-Leucine, instantised — the pharmaceutical-grade, vegan-fermented leucine from Ajinomoto®, mixing instantly for fast absorption and reliable activation of muscle protein synthesis.
- Free-acid HMB, not calcium HMB — the form shown in human trials to reach the blood faster and to higher peak levels than conventional calcium-HMB.
- Endurance · Power · VO₂ · Performance — leucine, magnesium and active vitamin B6 support normal energy metabolism, muscle function and protein synthesis in athletes of every sport.
- MagPlex⁴ — 1,460mg of 4 highly absorbable magnesium forms — bisglycinate, glycerophosphate, citrate and gluconate: magnesium contributes to normal muscle function, electrolyte balance and reduction of tiredness and fatigue.
- Pyridoxal 5′-Phosphate (active B6) — the already-active coenzyme form of vitamin B6, which contributes to normal protein and glycogen metabolism and normal energy-yielding metabolism.
- BioPerine® black pepper extract — the patented, standardised bioavailability enhancer that supports the absorption of the nutrients it is paired with.
- Highly branched polymer amylopectin carrier — 13.7g of fast-gastric-emptying carbohydrate that fuels the session and supports the insulin response that helps drive amino acids into muscle.
What is in one 32g scoop
HMB (β-Hydroxy-β-Methylbutyrate) — Free Acid
HMB is the key metabolite of leucine. Only around 5% of the leucine you eat is converted to HMB, which is why supplementing it directly makes sense. Gram for gram, HMB is more potent than leucine at attenuating muscle protein breakdown, while leucine is the stronger trigger of muscle protein synthesis — which is exactly why this formula contains both. We use the free-acid form (HMB-FA), shown in human pharmacokinetic studies to appear in the blood faster and reach higher peak concentrations than calcium-HMB. Most HMB supplements give you 1–3g of calcium-HMB per day. Anti-Catabolic Activa.TOR⁹ gives you 6.4g of the free acid in a single pre-training serving.
Why it’s here: the single most researched anti-catabolic nutrient in sport, at a dose that respects the science.
Ajipure® L-Leucine (Ajinomoto®) — instantised
Leucine is the “master” branched-chain amino acid. It directly activates mTOR, the cellular switch that drives muscle protein synthesis, and does so far more strongly than isoleucine or valine — gram for gram, leucine on its own is more effective at triggering protein synthesis than the same amount of a mixed BCAA. Leucine appears to reliably raise muscle protein synthesis after meals and training, and research suggests it is particularly useful when dietary protein is lower than ideal and in older adults, where the muscle’s response to protein is blunted. We use Ajipure® from Ajinomoto®: pharmaceutical-grade, fermented from plant carbohydrates, never from animal sources, and instantised so it dissolves immediately in water.
Why it’s here: HMB slows breakdown; leucine switches on rebuilding. Together they cover both sides of the muscle equation.
Amylopectine, hoogvertakt polymeer
A high-molecular-weight, highly branched carbohydrate that empties from the stomach quickly and is absorbed smoothly, without the heavy, bloated feeling of simple sugars. It does two jobs here: it provides usable energy for the session itself, and it supports the insulin response that helps shuttle leucine, HMB and magnesium into working muscle. This is why Anti-Catabolic Activa.TOR⁹ is a powder you drink around training rather than a capsule you swallow at breakfast.
Why it’s here: fuel plus a delivery vehicle for the actives — in one scoop.
Magnesium Bisglycinate (MagPlex⁴)
Magnesium bound to two molecules of the amino acid glycine. One of the best-tolerated and most bioavailable forms, with no laxative effect at effective doses. Glycine itself is calming, which makes bisglycinate the form most often chosen for relaxation and sleep quality — a real recovery lever for athletes training twice a day. Magnesium contributes to normal muscle function, normal protein synthesis, electrolyte balance and the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.
Magnesium Glycerophosphate (MagPlex⁴)
Magnesium attached to glycerol and phosphate. Once the bond is cleaved, all three components are available: magnesium, plus phosphate and glycerol that the body can use in energy (ATP) production. Around a quarter of the body’s magnesium sits in muscle, where it is required for muscle relaxation — the counterpart to calcium’s role in contraction. Glycerophosphate is a gentle, well-tolerated form widely used in clinical magnesium preparations.
Magnesium Citrate (MagPlex⁴)
Magnesium bound to citric acid — one of the most studied and most recommended magnesium forms, with excellent bioavailability and a long record in sports nutrition. Citrate is also a Krebs-cycle intermediate, which fits a product designed to be used around training. Included at a moderate dose so the complex stays easy on the stomach even during exercise.
Magnesium Gluconate (MagPlex⁴)
Magnesium bound to gluconic acid, a highly soluble organic form with very good absorption that rounds out the complex. Athletes lose magnesium in sweat and urine; even marginal shortfalls are believed to affect performance and recovery, and dietary intake is frequently below what high training loads demand. MagPlex⁴ covers that gap with four forms, 1,460mg of elemental-equivalent compound in total, in one scoop.
Pyridoxal 5′-Phosphate (P5P, active Vitamin B6)
P5P is the coenzyme form of vitamin B6 — the form your body actually uses — so it bypasses the liver conversion step that ordinary pyridoxine requires. Vitamin B6 contributes to normal protein and glycogen metabolism, normal energy-yielding metabolism, normal functioning of the nervous system and the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. B vitamins are water-soluble and lost in sweat and urine; research in active individuals links low B-vitamin status to poorer high-intensity performance and a reduced ability to repair and build muscle. In a formula built around amino-acid metabolism, B6 is the cofactor that makes the machinery run.
BioPerine® (black pepper extract, 95% piperine)
BioPerine® from Sabinsa is the original patented, standardised piperine extract. It has been shown in human studies to enhance the absorption of a range of nutrients, including vitamin B6, by supporting gastrointestinal blood flow and active nutrient transport. In plain terms: it helps the rest of the formula go where it is supposed to go.
Why it’s here: you paid for 6.4g of HMB and 6.4g of leucine. BioPerine® helps you absorb them.
Not all HMB supplements are the same molecule
HMB Free Acid (HMB-FA) — what we use
The unbound acid form. In human trials it reaches peak plasma concentration in roughly a quarter of the time of calcium-HMB, achieves a higher peak, and shows greater overall availability to tissue. It is the form used in the landmark 12-week studies in resistance-trained athletes that reported improvements in lean mass, strength and power alongside lower markers of muscle damage.
Calcium HMB (Ca-HMB) — the common form
HMB bound to calcium, the form found in most capsules and tablets on the market. Effective and well-studied in its own right, but slower to absorb and typically dosed at 1–3g per day split across the day. If you want HMB in your blood before the first interval, the free acid is the smarter choice.
SCN™ is one of the very few brands worldwide delivering free-acid HMB at 6.4g in a single serving, and the only one we know of combining it with an equal dose of Ajipure® leucine. That is not a marketing decision. It is a decision about what actually works for an athlete training at the edge.
What the studies say
Studies are cited for information on the individual ingredients and their researched doses and forms. Dietary supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and results vary with training, diet and the individual.
Ajipure® — the amino acid athletes with standards choose
Al meer dan een eeuw, Ajinomoto Co., Inc. has pioneered the technologies used to manufacture and purify pharmaceutical-grade amino acids, and remains the global leader in amino acid production, research and supply to the medical, pharmaceutical and sports-nutrition industries. Ajipure® amino acids are fermented exclusively from plant-based carbohydrates — no animal-origin raw materials, ever — and purified to pharmaceutical standards, giving fast dissolution, high bioavailability and batch-to-batch consistency you can feel.
Cheaper leucine exists. It is also the reason so many “leucine” products leave athletes unimpressed. SCN™ uses Ajipure® because the molecule, the purity and the solubility are what determine whether 6.4g of leucine does its job.
Timing is the whole point
Anti-Catabolic Activa.TOR⁹ is designed to be in your bloodstream while you train. Mix one scoop (32g) in 250ml of water.
Short sessions (up to 120 min)
Drink the full serving 30–40 minutes before training. HMB-FA and instantised leucine are absorbed quickly, so you start the session protected.
Long endurance sessions (over 120 min)
Start drinking 30 minutes before training and continue sipping through to the midpoint of the session, so anti-catabolic cover extends into the hours where breakdown accelerates.
Stack it
Follow with Pro Endurance Recovery after training and fuel long sessions with Endurance Carbs. Anti-catabolic before, recovery after — that is how the pros close the loop.
Product details: 480g tub · 50ml scoop (32g) · 15 training-day servings · Sweet Red Fruits flavour. Use on training days. Do not exceed the recommended serving. Food supplements are not a substitute for a varied, balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.
Nutritional information per 32g serving
| Active ingredient | Per serving (32g) |
|---|---|
| Amylopectine, hoogvertakt polymeer | 13,700mg |
| HMB (β-Hydroxy-β-Methylbutyrate) Free Acid | 6,400mg |
| L-Leucine Ajipure® | 6,400mg |
| Magnesium Citrate | 370 mg |
| Magnesiumbisglycinaat | 370 mg |
| Magnesiumglycerofosfaat | 370 mg |
| Magnesiumgluconaat | 350 mg |
| Pyridoxal 5′-Phosphate (Vitamin B6) | 17 mg |
| BioPerine® black pepper extract, standardised to 95% piperine | 10 mg |
Active ingredients: Highly Branched Polymer Amylopectin (source of sulphur dioxide and sulphites), L-Leucine Ajipure®, HMB (β-Hydroxy-β-Methylbutyrate) Free Acid, MagPlex⁴ (magnesium bisglycinate 28%, magnesium glycerophosphate 28%, magnesium citrate 28%, magnesium gluconate 16%), Pyridoxal 5′-Phosphate (vitamin B6), BioPerine®: black pepper extract standardised to 95% piperine.
Flavouring & other ingredients: Maltodextrin, flavour powder, silicon dioxide, sucralose, citric acid, beetroot powder (colour).
Storage note: Supplements with a high concentration of active ingredients and no preservatives can harden from powder to a solid block — a natural effect of ingredients that are sensitive to humidity. Consume within 20–30 days of opening. Keep in a cool, dry place with the lid tightly closed, and never use wet hands or a wet scoop.
HMB supplement FAQ
Is this an HMB supplement or a leucine supplement?
Both — and that is the point. HMB is the more potent anti-catabolic (it slows muscle protein breakdown); leucine is the more potent anabolic signal (it switches on muscle protein synthesis). Most products give you one or the other at a small dose. Anti-Catabolic Activa.TOR⁹ gives you 6.4g of each.
Why 6.4g of HMB when most products use 3g?
The 3g figure comes from studies using daily, divided dosing. This product is designed for a single pre-/intra-training serving on training days only, delivering a full anti-catabolic dose at the moment of maximum muscle stress. The free-acid form is also absorbed faster than the calcium-HMB most 3g products use.
Should I take it on rest days?
It is formulated for training days, and one tub covers 15 of them. If you are in a hard cutting phase or a very high-volume block and want daily cover, speak to us and we will advise on how to combine it with the rest of the SCN™ range.
Does it work for endurance athletes or just lifters?
Most HMB research is in strength athletes, but the mechanism — lower muscle protein breakdown and lower muscle-damage markers — applies to any demanding training. Studies in distance runners show reduced damage markers after prolonged running, and leucine trials in endurance athletes show improved time to exhaustion. SCN™ built this for endurance athletes first.
Is it vegan and doping-safe?
Ajipure® leucine is fermented from plant carbohydrates with no animal-origin materials. Like every SCN™ product, Anti-Catabolic Activa.TOR⁹ is manufactured to be 100% doping-free and cross-contamination safe. Always check with your federation if you compete under anti-doping rules.
Can I combine it with creatine, protein or electrolytes?
Yes. It stacks naturally with CREndurance Active¹³, Complete x4 protein en Carbo⁶-Lytes¹¹. Bear in mind it already contains 1,460mg of magnesium compounds, so you may not need a separate magnesium product on training days.
Built by endurance athletes who were tired of being sold powder
SCN™ exists because the sports nutrition market is full of products that look serious and dose like a vitamin gummy. We formulate for the athlete who trains 15–25 hours a week, reads the label, and knows the difference between calcium-HMB and the free acid. Pharmaceutical-grade raw materials, real clinical doses, no proprietary-blend hiding — and the honesty to tell you what a product does and does not do.
This website is for your education and general health information only. The ideas, opinions and suggestions contained on this website are not to be used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment from your doctor for any health condition or problem. Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. Do not exceed the recommended daily dose. Keep out of reach of young children. Consult your physician before use if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition.
