Pill described as Viagra’s cousin could help weight loss without changing diet

Viagra is used fairly commonly by those who need a little extra help in flying the mast at full sail, but a similar drug could have a very different effect on weight loss.

There have been some theories about the other possible benefits of Viagra, but none have been really proven.

The pill works in a particular way, and now a new drug described as 'Viagra's cousin' has been found by researchers to have some interesting benefits.

It doesn't appear, for now, that anyone with erectile dysfunction is going to be experiencing any added health benefits except the obvious one when taking the drug.

The new drug looks promising for another health problem – obesity.

So what is it and how does it work?

New pill could help people lose weight

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  This Morning viewers distracted by Jeff Brazier's 'bulge' in tight shorts on ITV show

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine in Maryland have made promising steps in the fight to tackle obesity.

A study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation in October 2021 found that a drug developed to treat Alzheimer's, schizophrenia and sickle cell disease reduced obesity in mice.

Science Daily summed up the promising findings and said: "Researchers have found that a drug first developed to treat Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia and sickle cell disease reduces obesity and fatty liver in mice and improves their heart function, without changes in food intake or daily activity."

It works by blocking an enzyme known as 'PDE9', which is similar to the PDE5 blocked by viagra.

Senior investigator David Kass MD said: "Currently, there isn't a pill that has been proven effective for treating severe obesity, yet such obesity is a global health problem that increases the risk of many other diseases.

"What makes our findings exciting is that we found an oral medication that activates fat-burning in mice to reduce obesity and fat buildup in organs like the liver and heart that contribute to disease; this is new."

Can Viagra help me lose weight?

There have been various theories that ask if Viagra can help people lose weight.

However, science boffins have not said that anyone should rely on Viagra to help them shed some extra timber.

Certain drugs are designed in a specific way and Viagra's main purpose is for a person who wants to gain some mass in a particular place, rather than shrink anything.

Some studies have looked at Viagra reducing the amount of fatty tissue deposited in mice.

More research needs to be done as nothing is clear yet, but the tests were probably good news for Mickey and Minnie at least.

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