Isolation could be associated with increased inflammation
New research from the University of Surrey and Brunel University in London has found that social isolation can be associated with increased inflammation.
This large study analysed 30 previous studies in this area. Researches found that social isolation could be linked to increased inflammation in the body.
What is inflammation?
Inflammation is a way for the body to signal the immune system to heal and repair damaged tissue. It also helps defend the body against viruses and bacteria.
Long- term (chronic) inflammation can eventually start damaging healthy cells, tissues and organs. This can lead to an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
What did this study find?
Researchers found that social isolation was associated with increased levels of:
- C-reactive protein (a protein linked to tissue damage and inflammation)
- Glycoprotein fibrinogen (which is converted into fibrin-based blood clots).
Surprisingly, the link between social isolation and physical inflammation was more likely to be observed in males than females. Suggesting that males and females might respond differently to social stressors.
In comparison, researchers suggested that loneliness can change how the inflammatory system responds to stress rather than directly impacting inflammatory response (observed in isolation).
Dr Kimberley Smith, Lecturer in Health Psychology at the University of Surrey, said: 'Loneliness and social isolation have been shown to increase our risk of poorer health. Many researchers propose that part of the reason for this is because they influence the body’s inflammatory response.'
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Research:
Smith KJ, Gravey S, Riddell NE, Kontari P, Victor C, 2020, 'The association between loneliness, social isolation and inflammation: A systematic review and meta- analysis', Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, Vol 112, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.02.002