Being single when you reach middle age could mean more than having the house to yourself - it could increase your risk of dementia.
Swedish research, presented at a US conference, found that marriage or having a partner halved the risk of developing dementia.
Scientists believe social interaction between couples may ward off illness.
The Alzheimer's Research Trust said the results were worrying, given the high divorce rates in the UK.
These findings are particularly worrying for the UK - a society with a high divorce rate, marriage at an all-time low, and ageing population
The study by the Karolinska Institute suggested that the problem might be even greater for some people.
Divorcees who remained single, they noticed, had a trebled risk of dementia, while those widowed at a young age who stayed single faced a six times greater chance.
I¨M OK.............................. Just thinking about my friends out there!!
Report threads that break rules, are offensive, or contain fighting. Staff may not be aware of the forum abuse, and cannot do anything about it unless you tell us about it. click to report forum abuse »
If one of the comments is offensive, please report the comment instead (there is a link in each comment to report it).
Being single when you reach middle age could mean more than having the house to yourself - it could increase your risk of dementia.
Swedish research, presented at a US conference, found that marriage or having a partner halved the risk of developing dementia.
Scientists believe social interaction between couples may ward off illness.
The Alzheimer's Research Trust said the results were worrying, given the high divorce rates in the UK.
These findings are particularly worrying for the UK - a society with a high divorce rate, marriage at an all-time low, and ageing population
The study by the Karolinska Institute suggested that the problem might be even greater for some people.
Divorcees who remained single, they noticed, had a trebled risk of dementia, while those widowed at a young age who stayed single faced a six times greater chance.
I¨M OK.............................. Just thinking about my friends out there!!