Adiponectin | ADIPOQ (rs17366568)

ADIPOQ and Adiponectin: What Your Genetics Can Tell You About Metabolic Health

Adiponectin is a hormone made by fat cells that helps regulate how the body uses sugars and fats. Higher adiponectin supports better insulin sensitivity, healthier cholesterol patterns, and lower inflammation. The ADIPOQ gene helps control how much adiponectin your body makes. Variations in this gene can influence baseline adiponectin levels and may affect metabolic balance over time.

Why adiponectin matters

Improves insulin sensitivity and glucose regulation
Favors healthier lipid profiles
Reduces systemic inflammation
Helps promote healthier fat distribution

How genetics fit in

Your genotype at the ADIPOQ location rs17366568 can be one of three types: AA, AG, or GG. These variants relate to differing baseline adiponectin levels but do not determine your health destiny. Lifestyle, weight, sleep, physical activity, and diet have large and often modifiable effects on adiponectin and metabolic health.

Genetic Interpretations

2 effect alleles (AA) — lower baseline adiponectin

If you have the AA genotype for rs17366568, you carry two copies of the effect allele. This variant is associated with lower baseline adiponectin. Lower adiponectin may make it more challenging to maintain optimal metabolic balance and could influence insulin sensitivity and fat storage patterns.

Practical priorities

Diet: Focus on whole foods, plenty of fiber, nonstarchy vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats like olive oil, nuts, seeds, and fatty fish. Limit refined carbohydrates and added sugars which can worsen insulin resistance.
Exercise: Combine aerobic activity and resistance training. Aim for most days of the week with a mix of moderate cardio and two or more strength sessions per week to improve insulin sensitivity and body composition.
Weight: Maintain or reach a healthy body weight through modest, sustainable calorie balance and physical activity.
Sleep and stress: Prioritize 7 to 9 hours of regular quality sleep and use stress reduction techniques such as mindfulness, breathing exercises, or structured relaxation to lower inflammation and support metabolic hormones.
Supplements to consider with your provider: Omega-3 fatty acids and magnesium may support metabolic health and adiponectin. Discuss dose and safety with your healthcare provider before starting anything new.
Monitoring: Work with your provider to track fasting glucose, fasting insulin or HOMA-IR, lipid panel, and markers of inflammation as needed to gauge metabolic response.

1 effect allele (AG) — moderately reduced adiponectin

If you have the AG genotype for rs17366568, you carry one copy of the effect allele. This is associated with moderately reduced adiponectin compared to people without the effect allele. The difference is not deterministic and can often be offset by lifestyle choices.

Practical priorities

Diet: Emphasize fiber rich foods, vegetables, whole grains in reasonable amounts, lean proteins, and heart healthy fats. Limit sugary beverages, sweets, and highly refined grains.
Exercise: Regular aerobic exercise plus resistance training will help maintain insulin sensitivity and support healthy adiponectin activity.
Sleep and stress: Aim for consistent sleep routines and practical stress management to reduce inflammation and support hormone balance.
Supplements to discuss with your provider: Consider omega 3 fish oil and magnesium if appropriate for your overall health and medications.
Monitoring: Periodic checks of glucose regulation and lipids can help you and your provider see the effect of lifestyle changes and adjust strategies if needed.

0 effect alleles (GG) — typical adiponectin

If you have the GG genotype for rs17366568, you carry two copies of the non effect allele and are generally expected to have typical baseline adiponectin levels. This supports a metabolic advantage for insulin sensitivity and lower inflammation when paired with healthy habits.

Practical priorities

Diet: Maintain a balanced, whole food focused diet with plenty of vegetables, fiber, lean proteins, and healthy fats to preserve metabolic resilience.
Exercise: Continue regular aerobic activity and resistance work to keep insulin sensitivity strong and protect lean mass.
Sleep and stress: Keep aiming for consistent sleep and low chronic stress to maintain hormonal balance.
Supplements: You may not need targeted supplements specifically for adiponectin, but omega 3s and magnesium remain reasonable general supports to discuss with your provider.
Monitoring: Routine health screening and metabolic labs as recommended by your provider remain important to detect any changes over time.

Diet recommendations that support adiponectin

Prioritize whole foods: vegetables, fruits in moderation, legumes, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and lean proteins.
Healthy fats: include extra virgin olive oil, avocados, nuts, and fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, and sardines for omega 3 fatty acids.
Limit added sugars and refined carbohydrates which can suppress adiponectin and worsen insulin resistance.
Include fiber at every meal to support gut health and steady blood sugar.
Keep portion sizes reasonable and emphasize nutrient density.

Supplements and nutrients to discuss with your provider

Omega 3 fatty acids: may support healthy lipid profiles and inflammation control.
Magnesium: involved in glucose metabolism and may support insulin sensitivity.
Vitamin D: adequate vitamin D status supports overall metabolic and immune health.
Probiotics and fiber supplements: may help gut health, which can influence systemic inflammation and metabolism.

Lifestyle strategies

Exercise: At least 150 minutes per week of moderate aerobic activity plus 2 or more sessions of resistance training.
Sleep: 7 to 9 hours nightly with consistent sleep and wake times.
Stress management: daily practices such as mindfulness, breath work, or enjoyable low stress activities.
Weight management: aim for steady, sustainable changes that reduce excess body fat while preserving lean mass.

Suggested tests to review with your healthcare provider

Fasting glucose and fasting insulin or HOMA-IR to evaluate insulin sensitivity
Lipid panel including HDL, LDL, triglycerides
High sensitivity C reactive protein or other inflammation markers when clinically indicated
Vitamin D and magnesium levels if supplements are being considered

PlexusDx does not provide medical advice. This information is educational and intended to help you understand how a specific ADIPOQ genetic variant may relate to adiponectin and metabolic health. Genetic results describe tendencies, not certainties. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to medications, supplements, diet, or exercise routines and before ordering tests. Your healthcare provider can interpret these results in the context of your personal and family medical history and current health status.