Women's Health

New Clue to Predict Diseases in Women?

Gut Hormone and Disease: Perspective

"This current study will certainly stimulate further interest in neurotensin and its possible role in the pathology of human diseases," says B. Mark Evers, MD, director of the Markey Cancer Center at the University of Kentucky. He reviewed the findings.

He has studied the gut hormone and cancers for more than two decades. He is also a university professor and vice-chair of surgery, and holds the McDowell Foundation Endowed Chair.

The possibility of using a hormone as a predictive marker may offer the chance to intervene earlier and prevent diseases, he says.

Until more research is in, reducing fat in the diet might be a good step, Evers says.

The hormone is released in response to fats in the diet, he says. "Therefore, eating foods with lower fat content may decrease the release of neurotensin."