We have long believed that loneliness and social isolation negatively impact our well-being. However, new research published in Nature reveals the exact toll they can take on our bodies. After analyzing data from over 42,000 people, researchers identified proteins in the blood that may be associated with self-reported loneliness or social isolation. Elevated levels of these proteins were found in individuals who experienced either condition.
The study examined nearly 2,000 distinct plasma proteins in the blood. The researchers controlled for variables such as age, education, income, smoking, and alcohol intake. In total, 175 proteins were associated with social isolation, while 26 were linked specifically to loneliness.
Feeling Lonely? Your Blood Might Reveal the Risk
When you hear the word protein, you might think of something positive. However, not all proteins are beneficial. Hundreds of proteins have been linked to an increased risk of disorders such as stroke, Parkinson’s disease, and Huntington’s disease, among others.
“We discovered that approximately 90% of these proteins are linked to the risk of mortality,” stated Dr. Chun Shen, the lead author of the study from Fudan University in China.
These proteins are associated with inflammation, antiviral responses, and the immune system.
“More than half of these proteins were prospectively linked to cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and mortality during a 14-year follow-up,” according to the report. None of the proteins appeared to cause social isolation or loneliness. Instead, reduced social contact and feelings of isolation were found to causally influence protein levels. This may help scientists better understand how social factors affect outcomes like cancer mortality, cardiovascular disease, and stroke.
Additionally, researchers discovered a small number of proteins that may help protect against social isolation and loneliness. “Only four proteins emerged as protective factors against social isolation, and one against loneliness,” the paper states. “Based on the results of MR analysis, we found a significant causal relationship between loneliness and protein levels.”
