Decreased appetite is not always a bad meal or less attractive, but it could be a sign of heart failure. Scientists have found a link between the brain, heart and stomach that may lead to new treatments for patients with chronic heart failure or diabetes.

The study, published in the journal Diabetes found that the hormone B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is produced by the heart also has the effect of inhibiting appetite. Austrian researchers from the Medical University of Vienna found that the heart does not just react to this hormone, but also produces several substances that carry messages decrease appetite.

Researchers found many patients with heart failure BNP hormone release. When produced in larger amounts, this hormone is to support heart function by making the kidneys remove water and sodium more and make blood vessels dilate. (more…)