Posted on 01/11/2022 8:33:49 AM PST by ConservativeMind
Living alone for several years and/or experiencing serial relationship break-ups are strongly linked to raised levels of inflammatory markers in the blood–but only in men–finds a large population study.
Although the inflammation was classified as low grade, it was persistent, and most likely indicates a heightened risk of age-related ill health and death, suggest the researchers.
Divorce and committed relationship break-ups, which are often followed by a potentially lengthy period of living alone, have been associated with a heightened risk of poor physical and mental health, lowered immunity, and death.
But most previously published studies have focused on the impact of one partnership dissolution, and then usually only on marital break-ups.
The inflammatory markers interleukin 6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured in blood samples.
Among men, the highest levels of inflammatory markers were found in those who had experienced the most partnership break-ups. They had 17% higher levels of inflammatory markers than those in the reference group. Similarly, levels of inflammatory markers were up to 12% higher in the group who had spent the most years living alone (7 or more).
And the highest levels of both inflammatory markers for years lived alone were observed among men with high educational attainment and 2–6 years living alone (CRP), and 7 or more years spent alone (IL-6).
But these findings were observed only among the men; no such associations were found among the women.
"Small numbers of breakups or years lived alone is not in itself a risk of poor health, but the combination of (many) years lived alone and several break-ups is in our study shown to affect both CRP and IL-6 levels significantly," write the researchers.
"The levels of inflammation in our study are low, but they are also significant, clinically relevant.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
I wonder if it’s not diet related.
I suspect men living alone are more prone to eating fast food than are women living alone.
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Bingo. IL-6 is an adipose fat mediator.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32715746/
Maybe the causative link is the other way around. Maybe the more irritated guys are more likely to have failed relationships. Or possibly a combination of factors.
If that were true, there would be no such thing as Romance Scams and Nigerians would starve to death.
I have 3 goldens. So far.
If I’m reading this right, the study can’t tell which came first, it just assumes the inflammation came after the break-ups and loneliness.
Low-grade inflammation, even if it’s so mild the person doesn’t realize it’s there, can still effect a person’s mood quite a lot. So, the possibility exists that the inflammation makes men behave in ways that make them harder to get along with, thus increasing the likelihood of breakups, and making it harder for them to attract new partners.
Without more research there’s no way to be sure which explanation is more accurate. I suspect it’s some combination of the two. But I felt the need to point out that there are other possibilities.
What some people call loneliness is what others call solitude.
clinically relevant.
Speaking from experience, I must agree 100% with your observation.
I have had three genuine long-term relationships in my 60 years. Twice married and one live-in girlfriend, and upon divorcing / breaking up with each of them, they could not have cared less or given it a second thought which baffled the hell out of me each time.
Their reaction would have been understandable had I been slovenly, overweight, out of shape, verbally of physically abusive, a drunkard, a gambler or cheater, but I was none of those things. Perhaps it was because I was completely committed to each of them or maybe too attentive to their needs and they took me for granted (like a dog, or so my daughters tell me).
Regardless, I am now a permanent bachelor and probably healthier (certainly happier) than when I was in a relationship.
My experience has taught me that you must first be able to find happiness while being alone before you can find happiness in a relationship with somebody else.
That’s my $0.02.
If only they knew then what they know now.
You are assuming both parties agreed to 'break up their families'. The reality is that most break ups are initiated by the wife and the man can't do a damned thing about it.
Been down that road twice, I never wanted to break up. Face it most women will honor they vows only when it's convenient.
Maybe single guys just don’t eat as healthy as single women. Because they don’t tend to be the cook on average in a relationship.
‘Lock your wife, (or girlfriend), and your dog in the trunk of your car for 10 minutes.’
what a despicable thing to do; I would never lock my dog in a trunk...
IDGAF what this study says. I’m NEVER getting married again and I’m not moving in with my GF, nor will I allow her to move in with me.
I love my solitude and quiet time and not giving it up, period.
I wonder if this also correlates to losing your spouse in death. I'm a widower.
Yes, it would, with their methodology.
Because woman have gotten use to it. Men abandon women for other women. Other men think wanking off to pictures pretending to themselves they are with these fantasy slags and actually have a chance with them live a life based on lies. The soul knows the truth and will cause the body to decline in health. Who knew sin could be deadly in more ways than one….
Been there, done that.
There is a difference between being alone and being lonely.
At 77, after 40 years of being alone, loneliness has set in.
Tread carefully.
“Living alone for several years and/or experiencing serial relationship break-ups are strongly linked to raised levels of inflammatory markers in the blood...”
I should be long-dead by now.
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