They found that the antibacterial action of neutrophils from grieving participants were significantly reduced compared to those who had not suffered a bereavement. They also had raised levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
Cortisol suppresses the activity of neutrophils, making them less active.
Most young healthy people produce a second hormone called DHEA, which Professor Lord and her colleagues found can counteract this affect, allowing their immune system to function normally.
