As loneliness is becoming an increasing concern affecting people of all ages, a new study has revealed that social connections are not just important for emotional well-being but play a key role in keeping us physically healthy
According to a recent study, interactions with friends, family, and communities can reduce the risk of serious diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes and enhance the immune system.
How social connections and interactions influence our bodies
Researchers from the UK and China set out to uncover why social isolation and loneliness have such a powerful effect on our health.
Their findings, published in Nature Human Behaviour, show that the proteins in our blood might be the key to understanding how these social factors influence our bodies.
The study analysed blood samples from more than 42,000 adults who are part of the UK Biobank, a large database of health data. The researchers focused on the “proteome”, a collection of proteins in the blood that are produced by our genes and play a crucial role in maintaining our health.
They found that individuals who were socially isolated or felt lonely had higher levels of certain proteins, many of which are involved in inflammation, immune response, and stress. These proteins are also linked to significant health conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and early death.
Social isolation leading to poor health
The scientists used Mendelian randomisation to explore the biological connection between social isolation and poor health.
This method allowed them to pinpoint five proteins whose levels were directly influenced by loneliness.
These proteins could help explain why socially isolated or lonely individuals are more prone to various illnesses.
One of the key proteins identified in the study was ADM, which is involved in stress response and hormone regulation. Increased levels of ADM were found to be linked with smaller volumes in brain regions that help us process emotions and social interactions.
The higher ADM levels were also associated with an increased risk of early death. Other proteins, such as ASGR1, were found to be connected to higher cholesterol levels and a greater likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease.
Tackling loneliness worldwide
The research also revealed that many of the proteins associated with social isolation are connected to inflammation, insulin resistance, and even cancer progression. These findings support the idea that the lack of meaningful social connections can take a physical toll on our bodies, leading to chronic health problems.
This growing evidence that loneliness is linked to poor health has raised concerns globally.
The World Health Organization has even declared social isolation and loneliness a “global public health concern.” With more and more people reporting loneliness, especially in an age where technology has made communication easier but not necessarily more fulfilling, finding ways to combat this issue is becoming more important.
Professor Barbara Sahakian from the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Cambridge said: “These findings drive home the importance of social contact in keeping us well. More and more people of all ages are reporting feeling lonely.” The University of Cambridge reported.
Through this study, we could understand how the body reacts to loneliness, which could lead to new treatments and interventions that target these proteins. Overall, this will improve the health of isolated and lonely people.
In the future, healthcare providers will be able to use the knowledge gained from this research to support people who struggle with loneliness and social isolation.
This research shows the importance of staying connected with others, not just for emotional fulfilment, but for physical well-being. It reminds us that social interactions are essential for maintaining our health and that tackling loneliness should be a priority for improving public health worldwide.
![Figure 1. Systemic immune responses elicited by oral dmLT-saponin combinations compared to injected vaccines (A) Cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) image of the dmLT and saponin formulation demonstrating the formation of acid-stable micelle particles upon the addition of saponin to dmLT. (B) Preclinical evaluation of systemic serum IgG and IgA antibody responses following prime/boost vaccination. Antibody levels against the microbial protein antigen included in the vaccination were assessed two weeks post-final vaccination in immunized mice. Groups were stratified by vaccination route (intramuscular [IM] or sublingual [SL]) and adjuvant formulation (dmLT [D] and/or saponin [S]). Comparisons with unvaccinated controls (white bars) are shown. Statistical significance between groups is indicated (*P < 0.05), with the SL D+S group achieving the best IgG and IgA responses to vaccine antigen.](https://www.openaccessgovernment.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Figure-01-100x70.jpg "New strategies for an old problem – Oral vaccines research")
