New research analyzing blood samples from over 42,000 UK Biobank participants has revealed that social isolation and loneliness are linked to specific proteins associated with inflammation, immune responses, and various diseases, including heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. The study, published in Nature Human Behaviour, identified 175 proteins associated with social isolation and 26 with loneliness, with significant overlap between the two groups.
Using Mendelian randomization, researchers found five proteins directly caused by loneliness, including ADM, which is involved in stress response and social hormones, and ASGR1, which is linked to higher cholesterol and cardiovascular disease. These findings demonstrate the biological mechanisms through which social relationships impact health, highlighting why maintaining social connections is crucial for staying healthy. World Health Organization researchers emphasize the growing public health concern of social isolation and loneliness, noting the urgent need to find ways to keep people connected.
Image from iStock from Andrii Lysenko.