Adipokines are hormone-like proteins secreted by adipose tissue, what we often call body fat. Far from being just passive storage, fat is an active endocrine organ and adipokines are one of its key communication tools. They act as messengers, traveling through the bloodstream to influence everything from how hungry we feel to how well our immune system functions. Their impact is especially significant in metabolism, inflammation and aging, which makes them important players in the science of longevity.
How adipokines work in the body
When fat cells (or adipocytes) release adipokines, these signals interact with organs such as the brain, liver, muscles and pancreas. They help regulate appetite, insulin sensitivity, fat burning and even immune responses.
In a well-balanced body, this system helps maintain metabolic stability and inflammatory control. But when fat accumulates, especially in the abdomen, the types and amounts of adipokines shift, often toward a more inflammatory state that can disrupt health.
Types of adipokines and their functions
Among the most studied adipokines is leptin, which helps regulate hunger and energy use. It signals the brain when we’ve had enough to eat. However, in people with excess body fat, leptin levels can remain chronically high, leading to a form of resistance that keeps hunger switched on despite having plenty of energy stored.
Another key adipokine is adiponectin, which works almost like an internal anti-inflammatory and insulin-sensitizing agent. Its levels tend to drop as body fat increases, particularly visceral fat. Lower adiponectin levels are associated with a greater risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Other adipokines, such as resistin, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), are pro-inflammatory and contribute to metabolic dysfunction. These are often elevated in obesity and are linked to insulin resistance, chronic inflammation and accelerated aging. Newer adipokines like omentin and visfatin are still being studied, but they also appear to influence immunity, inflammation and glucose metabolism.
The link between adipokines, metabolism and aging
As we age, fat tends to shift from subcutaneous (under the skin) to visceral (around the organs), which changes the adipokine profile of the body. This shift leads to an increase in inflammatory adipokines and a drop in protective ones like adiponectin. This imbalance contributes to what researchers call “inflammaging“, a low-grade, chronic inflammation that underlies many age-related conditions including heart disease, diabetes, cognitive decline and frailty.
A dysfunctional adipokine profile doesn’t just affect metabolism. It also influences immunity, brain function and even longevity. In fact, adipokines are being studied as potential biomarkers of biological age, given how tightly they link fat function with systemic health.
How to support healthy adipokine balance
Adipokine activity is highly responsive to lifestyle. Reducing visceral fat through regular aerobic and resistance training can restore a more favorable balance between inflammatory and protective adipokines. Similarly, dietary choices matter, omega-3 fatty acids, fiber-rich plants and polyphenols (from foods like berries, olive oil and green tea) help calm inflammation and improve insulin sensitivity.
Sleep, stress and circadian rhythm also play a role. Chronic stress and poor sleep increase cortisol, which in turn worsens fat distribution and disrupts adipokine signaling. Focusing on restorative practices and consistent sleep-wake patterns can support hormonal balance and reduce harmful inflammatory signaling from fat tissue.
Adipokines in the context of longevity
In longevity research, adipokines are gaining attention as key players in how fat tissue affects systemic aging. They help explain why fat stored in different parts of the body has such different effects on health and why some people with obesity remain metabolically healthy while others don’t. There’s growing interest in ways to rebalance adipokine profiles to reduce disease risk and extend healthspan.
Adipokines reflect the hidden intelligence of our fat tissue. These small proteins carry messages that can either protect the body or push it toward dysfunction, depending on how they’re balanced. By improving our body composition, reducing inflammation and aligning our lifestyles with how the body is meant to function, we can help adipokines work for us, not against us, on the path to healthier aging.
