Your spouse, you may be surprised to learn, is possibly keeping you sane.
An analysis of a collection of studies published through the end of last year assessing more than 800,000 individuals finds that people who have remained single through their lives have much higher incidences of dementia than married people.
42% higher. Those who are widowed had a 20% higher risk. Gender and age did not prove to be factors.
Researchers conclude that factors beyond marital status may be more determinant, including diet, amount of physical activity, the amount of sleep an individual gets, and,, perhaps most importantly, social engagement. Married people, on average, eat better, move more, sleep longer and have companions.
Houston Morning News talks with Houston’s Love Doc, Dr. Viviana Coles, at 7:45.
Dementia is the seventh leading cause of death globally.