LONELINESS MAY INCREASE INFLAMMATION IN BODY
In a recent study, researchers found that social isolation and loneliness could be associated with increased inflammation in the body, though loneliness and isolation should neither be used interchangeably nor grouped together.
To arrive at the findings, published in the journal Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, researchers analysed 30 previous studies to investigate the link between social isolation and loneliness with inflammation in the body.
“Our results suggest loneliness and social isolation are linked with different inflammatory markers. This shows how important it is to distinguish between loneliness and isolation, and that these terms should neither be used interchangeably nor grouped together,” said researcher Christina Victor, professor at Brunel University in the UK.
According to the study, inflammation is body’s way of signalling the immune system to heal and repair damaged tissues, as well as defending itself from virus and bacteria.
Inflammation can eventually start damaging healthy cells, tissues and organs and lead to an increased risk of developing diseases such as cardiovascular disease.
Researchers found that social isolation was associated with the presence of C-reactive protein, a protein substance released into the bloodstream within hours of a tissue injury, and increased levels of the glycoprotein fibrinogen, which is converted into fibrin-based blood clots.
Researchers also identified that the link between social isolation and inflammation was more likely to be observed in males than females.
“The evidence suggests that social isolation may be linked with inflammation, but the results for a direct link between them were less convincing,” said researcher Kimberley Smith, professor at the University of Surrey in the UK.
“We believe these results are an important first step in helping us to better understand how loneliness and social isolation may be linked with health,” Smith added.