# Adiponectin

Adiponectin is a hormone your fat cells release (an 'adipokine'), mostly from white fat. It is unusual among fat hormones: it goes DOWN as you gain fat, not up. Levels fall with obesity and belly fat, and rise with weight loss, caloric restriction, and aerobic exercise. It circulates in a few sizes (trimers, hexamers, and large multimers), and the large form is the most active. Adiponectin works through two receptors (AdipoR1 and AdipoR2) to switch on AMPK and PPAR-α. That improves your insulin sensitivity, burns fat, lowers the liver's glucose output, and protects your arteries. Low adiponectin independently predicts type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and heart disease, and goes with faster biological aging. Tellingly, high levels show up in centenarians and their children.

## Sources

- Kadowaki T, Yamauchi T. (2005). Adiponectin and Adiponectin Receptors. Endocrine Reviews. https://doi.org/10.1210/er.2005-0005
- Yamauchi T, Kadowaki T. (2013). Adiponectin Receptor as a Key Player in Healthy Longevity and Obesity-Related Diseases. Cell Metabolism. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cmet.2013.01.001

---

_Canonical: https://longevity-switzerland.com/en/glossary/adiponectin · Part of Longevity Cities · Updated 2026-06-22_