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# Low adiponectin means high breast cancer risk
- URL: https://www.foodconsumer.org/low_adiponectin_means_high_breast_cancer_risk_0526140328/
- Published: 2014-05-26T16:27:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-22T16:29:15.000Z
- Description: A meta-analysis of 15 observational studies covering 4,249 breast cancer cases found women with the highest circulating adiponectin were 34% less likely to be diagnosed, with each 3 microgram/ml increase linked to a 5% lower risk. Low adiponectin often accompanies high body fat.
- Author: Food Consumer
- Tags: Supplements, Nutrition, #vivvo-import

Monday May 26, 2014 (foodconsumer.org) -- Circulating adiponectin predicts risk of breast cancer, according to a study recently published in the International Journal of Epidemiology.

The study shows women who had highest amounts of adiponectin in their blood stream were 34% less likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer.

Sara Gandini of Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, European Institute of Oncology in Milan, Italy and colleagues conducted the meta-analysis and found the association.

A total of 15 observational studies of 4249 breast cancer cases published between 2003 and 2013 were used for the meta-analysis.

An analysis of data from ten studies established a dose responsive relationship between the circulating adiponectin and risk of breast cancer. That is, an increase of 3 µg/ml of adiponectin was linked to a 5% reduction in breast cancer risk.

Among postmenopausal women, those with highest levels of adiponectin were 20% less likely to develop breast cancer, compared with those with lowest levels of adiponectin. Among premenopausal women, highest levels of adiponectin were linked to 30% reduction in the breast cancer risk.

The study concluded "Low circulating adiponectin levels are associated with an increased breast cancer risk."

Low circulating adiponectin levels are often found in adults with high body fat or adipose tissue where adiponectin is produced. Because the link between obesity and low circulating adiponectin, the study indirectly suggests that adults with obesity have high risk of breast cancer.

Adiponectin is a protein hormone that modulates a number of metabolic processes including glucose regulation and fatty acid oxidation. It is believed that this hormone plays a role in the suppression of abnormal metabolic processes that lead to type 2 diabetes, obesity, atherosclerosis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, ADHD in adults, and metabolic syndrome. 

The current study did not establish a causal relationship between adiponectin and risk of breast cancer. The hormone in this case may simply be a biomarker, but do not play any role in the development of breast cancer. But the possibility could not be excluded either. That is, it is possible that low adiponectin may plays a role in the development of breast cancer.

According to studies conducted in mice, adiponectin together with leptin when used as a therapeutic can completely reverse insulin resistance or cure type 2 diabetes mellitus or prediabetes.

Adiponectin supplement is available over the internet and local health stores. (David Liu PHD)