The nutrient deficiency that leads to loneliness (and heart dangers)

Scientists recently discovered that loneliness can actually be ‘seen’ in the blood of people suffering from the condition.

While it sounds crazy, they say that people who live with extreme social loneliness have very specific compounds in their blood, plus a nutrient deficiency, that explains their condition and also offers a target to walk back that loneliness and start living again.

It’s also proven once again that the health of your mood and your heart can’t be separated.

So if you suffer from loneliness, caring for your heart means caring for your happiness.

The link between heart problems and sadness

Past research has already shown that “social isolation is on a par with high blood pressure, obesity, lack of exercise, or smoking as risk factors for illness and early death.”

And science says that loneliness kicks off a dangerous disease trigger that skyrockets your risk of dementia, heart disease and stroke.

Yet, up until those Japanese scientists got a hold of things, no one had any idea that your blood could actually tell the story of why you’re feeling all alone in the world (and what it could portend for your health).

So what did the scientists find?

After analyzing blood samples from 83 people, they discovered that those who suffer from extreme loneliness have high levels of a compound linked to serious heart problems in their blood.

Known as long-chain acylcarnitine, it’s a fat that goes hand-in-hand with coronary artery disease, raises your risk of arrhythmia by a whopping 18 times, and is associated with higher all-cause mortality in heart failure patients.

To top it off, the research also revealed that loneliness was also reflected in the blood by low levels of bilirubin and arginine, which have been linked to depression as well.

Now, I want you to pay special attention to that last deficiency.

Why?

Because like acylcarnitine, arginine is also important when it comes to your heart and another link in the chain between loneliness and poor heart health!

Arginine, nitric oxide and heart danger

That’s because when you lack the arginine your body needs, heart and circulatory problems can’t be too far behind.

And here’s why…

Arginine is vital to the production of nitric oxide or NO in your blood vessels.

So what’s so great about NO?

Nobel prize-winning work by three scientists decades ago produced compelling scientific work that identified NO acts as a signaling molecule telling your blood vessels to relax, expand and open wide for one very important purpose: healthy blood flow to every nook and cranny of your body.

This means that NO is a powerhouse when it comes to delivering natural support for blood pressure, blood flow and blood vessels.

In other words, it’s like a safety net for your heart health (and according to those Japanese scientists – your happiness).

And the good news is, you can put their discovery to work to improve both simply by getting more beets in your daily diet.

You see, beets are packed with nitrates your body can use to up your NO levels naturally.

Studies have even shown that drinking beet juice has proven results, increasing breath nitric oxide between 25 and 50 percent.

Not only does it support healthy blood pressure but also total cholesterol and LDL levels, too.

I consider beets my secret weapon for maintaining a healthy heart and mood for life.

Sources:

Can loneliness be ‘reflected’ in blood? – News.am

Long-chain acylcarnitine 18:1 acutely increases human atrial myocardial contractility and arrhythmia susceptibility – NIH

Long-Chain Acylcarnitine Metabolite Levels Increase Risk of All-Cause Mortality in Heart Failure – Cardiology Advisor