Staying social will make you healthier.
Spending time with family and friends is not just enjoyable, it can also have significant health benefits. A recent study published in Nature Human Behavior reveals that maintaining an active social life may strengthen the immune system and reduce the risk of serious conditions like heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.
The study found that social isolation and loneliness can lead to changes in blood protein levels, which are associated with inflammation, viral infections, immune responses, and chronic conditions like heart disease. Barbara Sahakian, a professor at the University of Cambridge, emphasized that these findings highlight the vital role social connections play in maintaining good health.
The research identified 175 proteins linked to social isolation and 26 connected to loneliness. Lead researcher Chun Shen, a postdoctoral investigator at the University of Cambridge, noted that while the connection between loneliness and poorer health was known, the specific biological reasons had not been clear until now. Their study revealed that certain proteins increase directly due to loneliness, influencing the body’s health.
In this study, proteins from over 42,000 individuals aged 40 to 69, part of the UK Biobank health study, were analyzed. These protein levels were then compared to participants’ reported levels of social isolation, loneliness, and overall health. Five specific proteins were found to be elevated in cases of loneliness, including ADM, which plays a role in stress regulation and the production of oxytocin, often referred to as the “love hormone.” Elevated levels of ADM were associated with a higher risk of early death, heart disease, stroke, and dementia. Additionally, high levels of ADM correlated with reductions in the size of key brain areas responsible for emotional processing and environmental awareness.
Other identified proteins, such as ASGR1, are connected to high cholesterol and increased heart disease risk. The study also noted that these proteins are associated with inflammation, cholesterol, triglycerides, insulin resistance, and even cancer progression. According to senior researcher Jianfeng Feng from the University of Warwick, these findings underscore the crucial role that social relationships play in maintaining good health and the potential health risks associated with social isolation and loneliness.
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