'Exercise Pill' for Couch Potatoes In the Offing

Good news for couch potatoes: Researchers in Houston are testing a drug that mimics the effects of exercise.

The 'exercise pill,' developed by Dr Vihang Narkar at the UTHealth Molecular Medicine Institute, is being tested on mice and is aimed specifically at people who are physically incapable of exercise, such as those in wheelchairs.

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Dr Narkar said the compound was administered to sedentary mice for about a month-and they were able to exercise up to 50 percent longer than untreated mice.

"You're taking a couch potato mouse, treating them with a drug and converting them into a marathon mouse, if you will," My Fox Houston.com quoted Narkar as saying.

Unfortunately for human 'couch potatoes,' Dr Narkar estimates it could take a decade before the drug is approved and available on the market.

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