Isolation has historically been linked to poor health, but scientists claim to have new understanding of the relationship between them.
Though poor health may cause individuals to feel isolated and lonely, research has indicated that loneliness can also contribute to deteriorating health.
Researchers now claim to have decoded a mechanism for the latter relationship, discovering that loneliness can influence the levels of several proteins linked to various diseases and even mortality.
Prof Barbara Sahakian, a co-author of the study at the University of Cambridge, stated that WHO had identified social isolation and loneliness as a significant issue globally, “I think the message is that we’ve got to start to get people to realise that it’s part of a health thing, both for their mental health and their wellbeing but also for their physical health, that they have to remain connected with other people,” she said.
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In the journal Nature, the researchers detail their analysis of data from over 42,000 participants in the UK Biobank project to investigate if the 9.3% who indicated social isolation and the 6.4% who indicated loneliness exhibited varying levels of proteins in their blood compared to those who did not.
Considering factors such as age, gender, education, smoking habits, and alcohol intake, the researchers identified 175 proteins linked to social isolation and 26 proteins related to self-reported loneliness, with many showing overlap. The majority of the proteins were detected at elevated levels in individuals who indicated experiencing social isolation or loneliness, and they play roles in inflammation, antiviral responses, and the immune system.
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The researchers subsequently employed a method called Mendelian randomisation to investigate if individuals with genetic variations linked to loneliness or social isolation were more likely to exhibit elevated levels of the targeted proteins. They also examined if individuals with genetic variations resulting in elevated levels of these proteins were more prone to social isolation or loneliness.
If we assume these variants are distributed randomly within the population, this method can provide insights into whether protein levels are a cause or a consequence of social isolation or loneliness.
Researchers discovered that an increase in loneliness led to elevated levels of one of the proteins known as ADM. Earlier research has indicated that ADM is involved in stress response and the regulation of stress-related hormones and social hormones like oxytocin — often referred to as the “love hormone” — which has the ability to alleviate stress and enhance mood, according to the statement.
Another protein named ASGR1, identified in elevated amounts, is linked to higher cholesterol levels and a greater risk of cardiovascular disease. Additional proteins that were recognized contribute to the development of insulin resistance, cancer advancement, and more.
