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Social connections not only support emotional well-being, but new research has revealed that interactions with friends and family may also play a crucial role in physical health. A study conducted by researchers from the UK and China suggests that loneliness and social isolation significantly elevate the risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and infections due to their impact on the immune system.
The study, published in Nature Human Behaviour, analyzed blood samples from over 42,000 adults aged 40 to 69, who are part of the UK Biobank study. The research team, led by scientists from the University of Cambridge and Fudan University, explored how loneliness and social isolation affect proteins in the blood. These proteins are vital for various bodily functions, and their levels can indicate risks for several chronic conditions.
While the impact of social relationships on well-being is well-documented, the biological mechanisms connecting social isolation to physical health have remained unclear. This new study, however, uncovers a significant biological link. Researchers found that 175 proteins were associated with social isolation, and 26 proteins with loneliness, many of which are related to inflammation, viral infections, and immune responses—key factors contributing to cardiovascular disease and other conditions.
“The connection between social isolation, loneliness, and poorer health outcomes has been recognized, but the underlying reasons have been elusive,” said Dr. Chun Shen, one of the lead researchers from the University of Cambridge. “Our findings reveal that certain proteins increase as a direct result of loneliness, providing us with a deeper understanding of how these emotional states can directly influence physical health.”
The team used advanced statistical techniques to analyze these proteins and discovered five key proteins whose levels were specifically influenced by loneliness. Notably, the protein ADM, associated with stress responses and the regulation of stress hormones like oxytocin, was elevated in lonely individuals. The study revealed that higher levels of ADM were linked to structural changes in the brain, including smaller volumes in regions responsible for emotional and social processes, and were associated with an increased risk of early death.
Additional proteins identified in the study were associated with higher cholesterol levels, cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance, and even cancer progression, reinforcing the widespread health risks linked to loneliness.
Professor Jianfeng Feng from the University of Warwick emphasized the significance of this research, stating, “The identification of these proteins opens new doors for understanding the biological basis of diseases related to social isolation and loneliness. It also highlights how AI and proteomics can transform healthcare by providing better prevention and treatment strategies.”
The study’s findings underscore the global public health concern raised by the World Health Organization, which has highlighted the increasing prevalence of loneliness. Professor Barbara Sahakian from the University of Cambridge cautioned that more attention must be given to combating social isolation, especially as more individuals, across all age groups, report feeling lonely.
“We need to find ways to keep people connected to improve their health and well-being,” Sahakian said. “This research further confirms the importance of maintaining social relationships for physical health, and it may guide future interventions aimed at reducing loneliness and its associated risks.”
As the study continues to garner attention, it reinforces the growing need for strategies and programs to address loneliness, offering hope that scientific insights into its biological impacts could lead to new ways of improving public health and extending lives.
For more detailed information, the full study can be accessed in Nature Human Behaviour, DOI: 10.1038/s41562-024-02078-1.
