In the ever-growing quest for better metabolic health and weight management, one name is steadily gaining traction: adiponectin. But what is it, and why is a mushroom extract from the USA—and certain everyday foods—making waves in this space?
What is Adiponectin?
Adiponectin is a hormone secreted primarily by fat cells (adipocytes). Paradoxically, the more body fat one has, especially visceral fat, the less adiponectin is typically present. This hormone is vital in enhancing insulin sensitivity, reducing inflammation, and regulating glucose and fat metabolism (Kadowaki & Yamauchi, 2005).
Four research teams first identified the hormone independently in 1995, including one led by Dr. Philipp Scherer, who is credited with characterizing and naming it "adiponectin" (Scherer et al., 1995). Its role in improving insulin resistance was later elucidated in 2001 through breakthrough studies in animal models, which established adiponectin as a critical hormone in metabolic regulation (Yamauchi et al., 2001).
Think of adiponectin as your body’s internal metabolism booster and inflammation reducer. It is a natural hormone that can help maintain a healthy body weight and well-being.
What is an Adiponectin Supplement?
An adiponectin supplement is any dietary product aimed at increasing the body’s natural levels of adiponectin. This can be achieved through lifestyle changes like diet and exercise or through specific supplements derived from food sources, such as Agaricus subrufescens, a medicinal mushroom also known as Agaricus blazei, A. brasiliensis, or Royal Sun Agaricus.
Beyond mushroom extracts, everyday foods like berries, green tea, nuts, olive oil, and fatty fish have also been shown to support and increase adiponectin levels naturally (Basu et al., 2010; Pérez-Martínez et al., 2010; Aronis et al., 2012).
The 5W1H of Adiponectin Supplements
Who should consider it?
People struggling with being overweight, insulin resistance, or chronic inflammation may benefit from boosting adiponectin.
What does it do?
It enhances insulin sensitivity, supports fat metabolism, and reduces inflammation, key factors in managing weight and maintaining metabolic health.
When to use it?
Generally, it can be used in conjunction with lifestyle changes or to help maintain a healthy body weight, especially after the age of 35, when the metabolic rates of most people slow down.
Where does it come from?
Agaricus subrufescens mushroom was first cultivated in 19th-century New York and later rediscovered in Brazil. It is widely grown for medicinal purposes in Japan and has been confirmed through genetic studies to be the same species as the original North American mushroom (Kerrigan, 2005).
Why is it important?
Because higher adiponectin levels = better metabolic health. Low levels are linked to issues like poor blood sugar control, excess weight gain, and compromised cardiovascular function.
How does it work?
It stimulates fat metabolism, boosts energy usage, and enhances insulin sensitivity. Adiponectin functions similarly to exercise, which increases glucose uptake and improves hormone signaling. Combining daily activity with adiponectin supplements and consuming adiponectin-friendly foods, such as legumes, garlic, green tea, and dark chocolate, can amplify the benefits (Gómez-Arbeláez, D., et al., 2013; Hosseinpour-Niazi et al., 2015; Yang et al., 2016; Al Moosawi et al., 2018).
How Agaricus Blazei Extract Raises Adiponectin Levels
A University of Paris study found that Agaricus blazei extract, sold as Agaricus Bio Super Liquid (ABSL), increased adiponectin levels in rats on a high-fat diet. Rather than suppressing appetite, this mushroom enhanced energy utilization and physical activity, thereby improving weight and insulin regulation.
Moreover, the extract reduced insulin and leptin levels while significantly raising plasma adiponectin. The effect likely stems from the extract’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties in fat tissue (Vincent et al., 2012).
Final Thoughts
If you are on a wellness journey focused on metabolic balance, an adiponectin-boosting supplement like Agaricus blazei could be a natural ally. When paired with dietary choices that promote adiponectin, such as fatty fish, berries, green tea, and healthy oils, it can provide your metabolism with the support it needs (Khani et al., 2014; Basu et al., 2010; Pérez-Martínez et al., 2010). It's not a magic fix but a smart, science-backed strategy.
References
- Al Moosawi, S., et al. (2018). Dark chocolate effect on serum adiponectin, biochemical and inflammatory parameters in diabetic patients: a randomized clinical trial. International Journal of Preventive Medicine, 9, 44. https://doi.org/10.4103/ijpvm.IJPVM_69_17
- Aronis, K. N., et al. (2012). Short-term walnut consumption increases circulating total adiponectin in obese humans with metabolic syndrome. Metabolism, 61(4), 577–582. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.metabol.2011.09.010
- Basu, A., Rhone, M., & Lyons, T. J. (2010). Berries: emerging impact on cardiovascular health. Nutrition Reviews, 68(3), 168–177. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1753-4887.2010.00273.x
- Diez, J. J., & Iglesias, P. (2003). The role of the novel adipocyte-derived hormone adiponectin in human disease. European Journal of Endocrinology, 148(3), 293–300. https://doi.org/10.1530/eje.0.1480293
- Hosseinpour-Niazi, S., et al. (2015). Legume consumption increases adiponectin concentrations among type 2 diabetic patients: a randomized crossover clinical trial. Clinical Nutrition, 34(3), 392–398. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clnu.2014.04.013
- Kadowaki, T., & Yamauchi, T. (2005). Adiponectin and adiponectin receptors. Endocrine Reviews, 26(3), 439–451. https://doi.org/10.1210/er.2005-0005
- Kerrigan, R. W. (2005). Agaricus subrufescens, a cultivated edible and medicinal mushroom, and its synonyms. Mycologia, 97(1), 12–24.
- Khani, B. R., et al. (2014). Supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids and plasma adiponectin levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized clinical trial. Endocrinología y Nutrición, 61(7), 360–366. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.endonu.2014.02.003
- Pérez-Martínez, P., et al. (2010). A Mediterranean and a high-carbohydrate diet improve glucose metabolism in healthy young persons. Diabetologia, 53(3), 535–546. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00125-009-1623-5
- Gómez-Arbeláez, D., et al. (2013). Aged garlic extract improves adiponectin levels in subjects with metabolic syndrome: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, crossover study. Mediators of Inflammation, 2013, 285795. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/285795
- Scherer, P. E., et al. (1995). A novel serum protein similar to C1q, produced exclusively in adipocytes. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 270(45), 26746–26749. https://doi.org/10.1074/jbc.270.45.26746
- Trujillo, M. E., & Scherer, P. E. (2005). Adiponectin – journey from an adipocyte secretory protein to biomarker of the metabolic syndrome. Journal of Internal Medicine, 257(2), 167–175. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2796.2004.01426.x
- Vincent, M., et al. (2012). Dietary supplementation with Agaricus blazei Murill extract prevents diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance in rats. Obesity. https://doi.org/10.1002/oby.20276
- Yamauchi, T., et al. (2001). The fat-derived hormone adiponectin reverses insulin resistance associated with both lipoatrophy and obesity. Nature Medicine, 7(8), 941–946. https://doi.org/10.1038/90984
- Yang, C. S., et al. (2016). Green tea extract increases adiponectin and PPARα levels to improve hepatic lipid metabolism in high-fat diet-induced obese mice. Nutrition Research, 36(7), 663–673. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nutres.2016.03.003