Could a hormone from your fat protect you from colon cancer? The surprising link we didn't know.

When we hear the term body fat, defense is not usually the first word that occurs. Yet recent findings indicate one hormone derived from fat—adiponectin—could have an unexpected role in reducing the incidence of colorectal cancer, one of the leading causes of cancer deaths in the world.

Adiponectin, a hormone that aids in governing inflammation and insulin sensitivity, is generally lower among individuals with obesity. But this hormone works like a protective shield. In a massive pooled analysis of research, scientists saw that those with higher levels of adiponectin had a significantly lower risk of colorectal cancer, with the effect particularly pronounced among men. Even after controlling for body mass index and lifestyle factors, the protective relationship remained steady.

On the opposite side of the balance sheet is leptin, another hormone derived from fat. Unlike adiponectin, leptin levels are generally high in obesity and have been suspected of nourishing tumors. To the surprise of the researchers, no strong association was found between leptin and overall risk of colorectal cancer. Leptin, however, did demonstrate a significant association with colorectal adenomas—the benign but precancerous polyps that often represent the initial step on the path toward cancer.

Together, these results dispute the notion of fat as purely detrimental. Rather, the levels of fat hormones could determine whether fat tissue defends or encourages cancer. For men specifically, restoring more healthy levels of adiponectin might be an important aspect of prevention, and leptin's association with adenomas reinforces the need to track early-stage risk.

Is your very own fat shaping your cancer risk in ways you can't even imagine? Click here to learn about the science behind the surprising connections.