Spending time with loved ones DOES help you live longer: Scientists reveal social contact can slash risk of strokes and developing type 2 diabetes Seeing friends and family boosts our immune system, reduces the risk of stroke and slashes the chances of developing type 2 diabetes, according to a study.
Scientists have discovered five proteins specifically linked to loneliness that can contribute to a raft of health issues.
Analysis revealed five proteins whose abundance was caused by loneliness - some of which are already linked to cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol, the development of insulin resistance and an early death.
Previous research has found that both social isolation and loneliness are linked to lower wellbeing and an early death, but the underlying mechanisms through which relationships impact health have remained elusive.
This allowed them to see which proteins were present in higher levels among people who were socially isolated or lonely, and how these proteins were connected to poorer health.
