Lonely or sick

It is not surprising that lonely people are often ill: American scientists say genetic genes are the culprits of that condition.

The study, published in Genome Biology , has found that certain genes become more active in people who claim to be socially isolated. Many of these genes are involved in the immune system and inflammation.

(Photo: SPL) The relationship between genes and loneliness has been discovered before. A study in the Netherlands on 8,000 twins also shows this relationship.

A recent study by the University of Los Angeles, California, USA, investigated more closely what genes might be involved. They selected 14 volunteers and assessed the level of social interaction through the scoring system. The team then investigated the gene's activity in white blood cells and compared the results.

In " lonely " volunteers, many genes tend to be " overly stimulating " compared to those on the other end of the scale. These genes are often linked to the body's defense mechanisms, such as producing inflammatory reactions. If too many inflammatory reactions can damage tissue and cause disease. In contrast, other genes are considered important in fighting the virus and creating antibodies of the immune system, which are less active than non-lonely groups.

Dr. Steven Cole, the lead researcher, said: " What we see is the biological impact of loneliness originating from some basic processes within the body - the activity of genes. " .

The finding, according to Dr. Steven, will help experts know which targets to reach at the molecular level to reverse the effects of loneliness on health.

Steven also said quality - not quantity - friends seem to play an important role."Not how many friends you have, but how you feel in that friendship decides to go into loneliness."

T. An