New research links loneliness to dysfunctional immune response, suggesting that being lonely can potentially harm overall health. People who are lonely have higher sighs of elevated latent herpes virus reactivation and produce more inflammation –related proteins in response to acute stress than people who feel socially connected. These proteins signal the presence of chronic inflammation, which is linked to many health conditions such as heart disease, Type-2 diabetes, arthritis and Alzheimer’s disease. Reactivation of a latent herpes virus is known to be associated with stress, suggesting that loneliness functions as a chronic stress or that triggers a poorly controlled immune response.
Thanks,
Hindustan Times- Wellness,
27/01/2013
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