Loneliness Linked to Proteins That May Increase Disease Risk and Mortality
Human beings are inherently social creatures. We thrive on connection, communication, and shared experiences that help shape our identities and foster a sense of belonging. However, in today’s increasingly digital and fast-paced world, feelings of loneliness and social isolation have become alarmingly common.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), these feelings are widespread, with about 25% of older people experiencing social isolation and 5%-15% of adolescents feeling lonely. Studies have shown that social isolation and loneliness are linked to an increased risk of disease and death. A recent study published in 2022 found that social isolation in older people carried a 26% increased risk of developing dementia, while loneliness was associated with depression.
To delve deeper into the biological processes underlying the link between social isolation, loneliness, and health, researchers focused on proteomics, the study of proteins. Proteins play a crucial role in gene expression and are a major source of drug targets for developing medications. In a collaborative study between the University of Cambridge and Fudan University, data from 42,062 participants from the UK Biobank were analyzed, studying 2,920 plasma proteins.
The study revealed that proteins significantly associated with loneliness and social isolation are also implicated in inflammation, antiviral, and immune responses. Specifically, the research suggested that loneliness may lead to an increase in the levels of five specific proteins expressed in the brain (GFRA1, ADM, FABP4, TNFRSF10A, and ASGR1), all of which were found to be positively associated with loneliness.
Furthermore, the data tracked the health of participants for about 14 years, showing that more than half of the proteins were linked to cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and death. These findings highlight the importance of good social relationships and the detrimental effects of loneliness on certain harmful proteins that can impact health outcomes.
Social isolation and loneliness affect individuals of all ages and genders, leading to significant mental and physical health problems. Understanding the biological mechanisms at play underscores the importance of connecting with others through meaningful social activities to mitigate the effects of loneliness on health.
While technology offers new ways to stay connected, face-to-face social interactions that involve non-verbal communication are essential for fostering deep and meaningful connections. These interactions have been shown to have a more positive impact on well-being compared to digital interactions.
Ultimately, social connections are vital for overall well-being, as they reduce stress, support immune function, enhance cognitive health, and improve brain health. They also foster empathy and understanding, providing emotional resilience. Building meaningful connections with others is crucial for creating a flourishing society.
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. For the original article, visit The Conversation website.
