The Meeting Place > Hot Topics > Your blood can reveal a surprising trait

Your blood can reveal a surprising trait

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Drew
1 yr ago

New research by Japanese scientists has found specific compounds in the blood of individuals suffering from "extreme social withdrawal". 

These compounds include high levels of long-chain acylcarnitine which is a fat linked directly to heart problems. This was also combined with low levels of bilirubin and arginine, both which are linked to depression. 

Loneliness has been linked with increased risk of several health concerns through previous studies. 

When was the last time you picked up the phone and connected with an old friend?

4 comments
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Suze
1 yr ago

A very interesting bit of research which should benefit society.

Sadly' since Private Messaging was taken from this Forum I am no longer able to contact some of the friends I made on YLC.

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HOLA
1 yr ago

Suze - If you write to admin. and tell them you are trying to contact a certain person and if they could convey your message to them with your email address., maybe that would help. It's worth a try. 

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KSS
1 yr ago

 

I would bet life savings that lowering long-chain acylcarnitine, and raising levels of bilirubin and arginine would have absolutely no impact on loneliness at all. Loneliness is a mental state and unless you decide to let people in you will not change how you feel. You have to be an active participant to change feelings not swallow a pill. 

Being alone and being lonely are very different things. Loneliness whilst surrounded by people is common and has everything to do with not making a connection with those close by. And that only you can change - if you want to. Being alone is a choice that many people make and are very happy with that choice.

And this research does not examine whether long-chain acylcarnitine, and raising levels of bilirubin and arginine levels are cause or effect. After all basic research dictates correlation is not causation!

 

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Sophie
1 yr ago

 

This is very important research when you consider the connection between blood and the brain. The internal carotid arteries branch into the skull and circulate blood to the front part of the brain. A lack of adequate blood flow to the brain can trigger depression specifically the amygdala, region of the brain primarily associated with emotional processes.

Brain images from people experiencing loneliness show distinct features within certain neural regions, suggesting that those who feel lonely may be able to fill their desire for human connection by imagining social contexts and interactions.

 

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Horace Cope
1 yr ago

Thankfully scientists are making more and more inroads into our health through blood tests. I had blood taken late last week and my doctor will give me the results later this week. The tests cover everything from iron levels, cholesterol and prostate as well as other things that the doctor needs to know but of which I am unsure. I have annual blood tests and can but recommend that others should. I have lost friends to prostate over the years and the common thread with them was never having check-ups or blood work done. May scientists continue to work for us.

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