A daily dose of an oral drug that stimulates release of growth hormone has been shown to aid in helping healthy adults maintain muscle mass normally lost as part of the normal aging process. Researchers at the University of Virginia conducted a two-year study of 65 healthy older adults and the oral drug Ghrelin mimetic, or MK-677, which is produced by Merck. Michael Thorner, MB, BS, DSc, and Ralf Nass, MD, of the University of Virginia noted there was some anticipated increase in blood sugar and the body’s sensitivity to insulin decreased slightly. This was felt to be a “normal effect of enhancing growth hormone secretion and unlikely to be of clinical significance in subjects who are not diabetic,” Thorner says. In addition to doctors becoming more vigilant in screenings, it is also suggested elderly patients consider working with either a physical therapist or certified personal trainer in order to improve lower body strength, coordination and balance. read more
[Tags]patients, growth, hormone, thorner, adults, drug, weight loss news[/Tags]
