By Armen Hareyan for EmaxHealth.com

Researchers at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have discovered a hormone created in the body which could have very important implications on human health. The protein, which they are calling “irisin” is being described as a highly promising candidate for the development of a novel treatment for diabetes, obesity, and perhaps neurological diseases such as Parkinsons.

Dr. Bruce Spiegelman PhD, a cell biologist, and Pontus Bostrom MD PhD, a postdoctoral fellow, discovered a chemical protein which is produced in muscles during exercise called PGC1-alpha. This compound regulates genes involved in energy metabolism. It may also be involved in controlling blood pressure, regulating cellular cholesterol, and the development of obesity.