Research
Hormonal
Chronic exercise modulates adipokine secretion, generally reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines (like TNF-α and leptin) and improving insulin sensitivity, although the effects on specific adipokines like adiponectin and IL-6 can be variable or intensity-dependent.
Regular, moderate exercise helps your body manage inflammation and insulin sensitivity by changing the hormones your fat cells release. While results vary, consistently staying active tends to lower harmful inflammatory markers and improve how your body handles sugar.
ModerateQualifiesMEDIUM confidence
Generally, moderate chronic exercise seems to be associated with a decrease in the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α, leptin and MCP-1, from the AT and working muscles; this may contribute to attenuation of systemic inflammation.
Why this rating
The paper states evidence is 'inconclusive' for some adipokines (adiponectin) and notes variability based on intensity.
Source
Effect of Exercise on Fatty Acid Metabolism and Adipokine Secretion in Adipose Tissue
Adriana Mika et al. · Frontiers in Physiology · 2019
DOI 10.3389/fphys.2019.00026
narrative_reviewCited 185×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
More from this paper
- Chronic exercise stimulates lipolysis in adipose tissue by normalizing the activity of lipolytic enzymes (ATGL and HSL), thereby facilitating the reduction of adipose tissue mass and preventing its accumulation.Moderate
- Chronic exercise promotes the 'beiging' of white adipose tissue (WAT), transforming energy-storing white adipocytes into thermogenic beige adipocytes that express UCP1 and increase mitochondrial activity.Moderate
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