In people aged 65 and older, being more socially active is linked to lower levels of a marker of inflammation called C-reactive protein, and higher levels of this marker are linked to less social...

We analyzed the available evidence and found that in older adults aged 65 and older, higher levels of social activity are linked to lower levels of C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation in the body. At the same time, higher levels of this inflammation marker are linked to reduced social activity over time, which suggests the relationship may go both ways. This pattern was observed across the 52.0 studies or assertions we reviewed, with none contradicting it [1]. What we’ve found so far points to a possible back-and-forth connection: staying socially engaged might be associated with less inflammation, and having more inflammation might make it harder to stay socially active. We don’t know if one directly causes the other, or if other factors like sleep, stress, or physical health play a role. The evidence doesn’t show whether improving social habits lowers inflammation, or if reducing inflammation helps people become more social — only that the two tend to move together. This doesn’t mean socializing is a treatment for inflammation, or that inflammation always leads to isolation. But it does suggest that for older adults, staying connected with others might be one part of a broader pattern tied to how the body handles inflammation. If you’re older and looking to support your health, spending time with friends, family, or community groups could be a simple, low-risk way to stay engaged — not because it’s proven to reduce inflammation, but because it’s linked to it in the data we’ve seen so far.