According to the latest research, people who are unmarried or not living with a partner in mid-life could have an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.

A recent study by the Karolinksa Institute shows that people who are married or living with a significant other have 50 per cent less chance of being affected by dementia than those living alone.

Researchers in Stockholm also found there were differences between groups of people who had been living on their own for different reasons.

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. 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. 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 report in the medical journal Neurology, eating fish three times a week may lead to a reduction in harmful brain lesions, which can trigger Alzheimer's disease and stroke, by up to 25 per cent.

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.

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

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


Healthy reasons to get hitched


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.

Being in a loving relationship makes it easier to cope with the strains of working life. People 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 alcohol 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.

Married people tend to have stronger immune systems and are less likely
to catch colds and other illnesses like headaches and back pain.

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