Don’t forget the importance of your other half

Key findings indicate that living with a partner in mid-life makes you significantly less likely to show cognitive impairment compared to all other categories – single, separated, divorced or widowed.

Life-long singletons had a double risk of contracting the disease. Divorcees who stayed single from mid-life onwards had a triple risk. And most dramatically, people who were widowed before mid-life and remained alone had a six times higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s compared to those who remained married from mid-life.

Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia, afflicting more than 700,000 Britons.

To reduce the risk, research suggests that maintaining regular social interaction can contribute to maintaining brain health as we age – and possibly decrease the chance of developing the disease.

“Some evidence suggests remaining socially active may reduce your risk of dementia and living with someone is certainly a good way of increasing social interaction,” Dr Susanne Sorensen from the Alzheimer’s Society says.

“However, there are many other lifestyle factors associated with being married that may help reduce your risk of dementia, whether it’s reaching for the vacuum cleaner or going for long romantic walks.”

The Society also says free-spirited singletons shouldn’t worry as there are many other ways to reduce your risk of dementia that don’t involve popping the question and running up the aisle.

“The best evidence is around eating a Mediterranean diet, exercising regularly and not smoking,” Sorrensen says.

According to a recent report in the medical journal Neurology, eating fish three times a week may lead to a reduction in harmful brain lesions that can trigger Alzheimer’s disease and stroke by up to 25%.

Britons are already advised to eat fish at least twice a week, including one portion of oily fish.

Whether you’re single or married, the experts advise staying clear of the local chippie and filling your shopping basket with tuna, salmon, mackerel and sardines which are all high in omega-3 fatty acids.

SEVEN HEALTHY REASONS TO BE MARRIED

:: It’s not a myth – marriage is a medicine. A healthier lifestyle and personal wellbeing means you’re more likely to live longer. Married men have a longer life expectancy than single men and both of you can save on your medical bills. Single people spend twice as much time undergoing treatment in hospital.

:: It’s an accepted fact that after time, love-making can become routine. But you probably have a far more fulfilling and better sex life than most of your single friends!

:: Bad day in the office darling? Being in a loving relationship makes it easier to cope with the strains of working life. People who are in long-term relationships are more laid-back and less stressed.

:: You probably spend less time at the pub. Being respectful to your significant other means you’re more likely to cut back on the booze and smoke less. Single men are more than three times as likely to die of cirrhosis of the liver than married men.

:: Contentment has its rewards – thanks to elevated feelings of overall happiness, happily married adults have lower blood pressure than singletons or couples in unhappy relationships.

:: When did you last suffer from a cold? Married people tend to have stronger immune systems and are less likely to catch colds and develop other illnesses like headaches and back pain.

:: Married men and women have lower suicide rates. A meaningful social network of friends and relatives gives people a sense of personal value and a feeling of responsibility to others.

SEVEN HEALTHY REASONS TO BE SINGLE

:: What better social interaction is there than flirting? Being single gives you the complete freedom to flirt with whoever you want, whenever you want.

:: A constant companion at dinner is a dead cert for piling on the pounds. Singletons stay slimmer, especially women. Let’s face it, you have more motivation and can’t afford to ‘let yourself go’ in case Mr or Miss Right suddenly turn up.

:: You have more time for activities. No one’s stopping you from going for a cycle ride in the park on a Sunday morning, spending a weekend at a yoga retreat or pumping iron in the gym as often as you want.

:: Relationships are synonymous with compromise. Eventually you will have to sacrifice something you really like – facials and body treatments or footie nights with the boys. Enjoy being single and treating yourself. Selfishness can sometimes be good for the soul.

:: You can get a good night’s sleep – and go to bed when you like. Who wants to be woken up by heavy snoring or constant trips to the bathroom in the middle of the night?

:: Being single means you can be spontaneous and adventurous. Life experiences like travelling alone or taking in a show will boost your confidence and give you greater self-esteem than some of your married friends.

:: Tired, irritable and depressed? You can have PMT as bad as you want without having to explain anything.

:: Enjoy the peacefulness of your own mind and relish the calm that comes from solitude, with no one nagging at you, criticising you or finding fault.

HEART HEALTH

According to the British Heart Foundation, 20% of people in the UK who have dementia have vascular dementia. Keeping the risks low for that will also reduce your risk of developing other diseases of the heart and circulation.

The BHF have the following tips to boost heart health:

:: Stop smoking, or at least cut back.

:: Eat a diet low in saturated fat – cut back on hard cheese, fatty meat, biscuits, cakes and high-fat dairy products.

:: Keep to a healthy weight – healthy BMI below 25.

:: Be physically active – that means 30 minutes of activity (brisk walking etc) five times a week.

:: Make sure your you have a test for diabetes if you have problems with frequent urination or thirst, if you have a family history of the illness, have a South Asian background or an apple-shaped body.

:: Have a cholesterol test if you have a history of high cholesterol in your family. Eat at least five portions of fruit and veg a day to improve your good cholesterol.

TEN WARNING SIGNS OF ALZHEIMER’S

:: Memory loss

:: Difficulty performing familiar tasks

:: Problems with language

:: Disorientation to time and place

:: Poor or decreased judgement

:: Problems with abstract thinking

:: Misplacing things

:: Changes in mood or behaviour

:: Changes in personality

:: Loss of initiative

:: The Alzheimer’s Society is holding their fundraising Memory Walk 2008 in September. Visit www.memorywalk.org.uk for more information.

:: For advice on coping with dementia or Alzheimer’s, contact the Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Helpline (0845 300 0336) or visit www.alzheimers.org.uk