To conduct a new study, experts obtained data from the UK Biobank. They used information from 42,062 participants. Their average age was 54, and just over 50% of them were women. On average, people were followed for 14 years.

As a result, scientists identified 175 proteins associated with social isolation and 26 proteins associated with loneliness. There was also protein overlap, with approximately 85% of the proteins associated with loneliness also associated with social isolation. Many of certain proteins are part of our immune response, which triggers an inflammatory response when the body fights disease.

Some proteins were also isolated and their effects on the body were investigated. For example ADM. It helps regulate the body’s response to stress and stress hormones and is responsible for the functioning of oxytocin, the hormone of love and affection. Only people had higher ADM levels. This means that their immune systems fight infection (or what is perceived as infection) due to loneliness.

More than half of the proteins associated with social isolation and loneliness also showed significant associations with heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke and death. For example, a one-unit increase in ADM level is associated with a 58% increase in the risk of death over 14 years.

Another protein, ASGR1, has been linked to high cholesterol levels and heart disease risk.

The results of the research were published in the January 2025 issue of the journal Nature Human Behavior.

News materials cannot be equated with a doctor’s prescription. Consult an expert before making a decision.

Source: Ferra

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I am a professional journalist and content creator with extensive experience writing for news websites. I currently work as an author at Gadget Onus, where I specialize in covering hot news topics. My written pieces have been published on some of the biggest media outlets around the world, including The Guardian and BBC News.

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