Hormonal

Oral administration of the growth hormone secretagogue capromorelin to older adults with mild functional limitations significantly increases lean body mass and improves specific measures of physical performance (tandem walk and stair climb) over 6-12 months.

For older adults (65-84) with mild physical limitations, oral capromorelin (a GH secretagogue) taken for 6-12 months can increase lean muscle mass and improve balance and stair-climbing ability. While it causes minor increases in blood sugar and insulin resistance, these were clinically minor in this study. Side effects like increased appetite and insomnia are common but generally tolerable. This is not a substitute for strength training, which was excluded in this study, but offers a pharmacological option for functional decline.