From the Guidelines
Adiponectin is a beneficial hormone that should be prioritized in clinical practice due to its association with increased insulin sensitivity, reduced inflammation, and protection against metabolic disorders, as evidenced by studies such as 1 and 1.
Key Points
- Adiponectin is an adipose-specific hormone with anti-inflammatory and insulin-sensitizing properties, as noted in 1.
- Higher levels of adiponectin are generally considered beneficial for health, and are associated with leanness, lower CRP, lower carotid intima-media thickness, and insulin sensitivity, particularly high-molecular-weight adiponectin, as seen in 1.
- Adiponectin levels tend to be lower in people with obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, suggesting its protective role in these conditions.
- Lifestyle factors that can naturally increase adiponectin include regular exercise, weight loss, and consumption of omega-3 fatty acids, while certain medications like thiazolidinediones can also boost its levels.
Clinical Implications
- Increasing adiponectin levels through lifestyle modifications or medications should be a priority in clinical practice, as it may help reduce the risk of metabolic disorders and improve overall health outcomes, as suggested by 1 and 1.
- Regular monitoring of adiponectin levels may be beneficial in assessing the effectiveness of lifestyle interventions or medications aimed at increasing its levels.
- Further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms by which adiponectin exerts its beneficial effects and to develop effective strategies for increasing its levels in clinical practice.
From the Research
Adiponectin Overview
- Adiponectin is an adipocyte-specific protein that plays a role in obesity, insulin resistance, lipid metabolism, and anti-inflammation 2.
- Hypoadiponectinemia may be associated with a higher risk for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease 2.
Factors Influencing Adiponectin Levels
- Lifestyle factors such as smoking, dietary factors, and physical exercise can modulate adiponectin levels 2, 3, 4.
- Genetic polymorphisms, obesity, body fat distribution, and sleep deprivation can also influence adiponectin levels 3.
- Dietary factors, including the Mediterranean diet, DASH diet, and diet based on plant products, can increase adiponectin levels 5, 6.
- Certain food products, such as monounsaturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids, dietary fiber, and polyphenols, can also increase adiponectin levels 5, 6.
Relationship Between Adiponectin and Disease
- Adiponectin has been proposed as a potential prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target in patients with cardiometabolic diseases 3.
- Low adiponectin levels have been associated with type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity 2, 3, 5.
- Adiponectin may have a significant role in the treatment and prevention of diabetes and obesity 5.