ICP072 - Sexually transmitted dementia

In this episode of the Informed Choice Podcast, Martin talks about sexually transmitted dementia and staying healthy in retirement.

There is also a roundup of the latest personal finance news and an update from the world of Informed Choice.

Sexually transmitted dementia

Could Alzheimer's disease be sexually transmitted? A worldwide team of scientists are warning that microbes including the STD chlamydia could be the major cause of dementia.

This refers to an editorial in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, suggesting a viral or bacterial infection could trigger the plaque build-up in the brain responsible for some forms of dementia.

The editorial is particularly interesting because it makes reference to the gene mutation APOEe4. This makes people more susceptible to Alzheimer's Disease but also raises susceptibility to infectious disease.

Another study found that most people are unaware that a healthy lifestyle can help prevent Alzheimer's in later life.

This is a new survey by Alzheimer’s Research UK, which was designed to raise awareness of how the disease is not an inevitable part of ageing.

They found that a quarter of adults in the UK knew that simple lifestyle changes can affect their chance of developing Alzheimer’s Disease.

There are various ways to lower the risk of dementia, including rating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, drinking moderately, not smoking, and maintaining weight, blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

These two stories come at a time when the government is campaigning to encourage unhealthy middle aged people to improve their lifestyles in order to enjoy a healthy retirement.

Public Health England's One You campaign is urging the over 40s to drink less, exercise more, eat better and give up smoking.

Personal finance news update

-The European Central Bank has cut its key interest rate to zero, with a larger than expected package of monetary easing.

-A snap poll of UK financial advisers has revealed that the majority of advisers who responded to a survey on the stay/leave EU referendum want to stay part of the European Union.

-More than two million elderly Brits feel trapped in their homes, according to new research.

-Energy bills could be about to fall, after the Competition and Markets Authority proposed a new price cap for households using pre-payment meters.

-Singapore is the most expensive city in the world in which to live, according to new research by the Economist Intelligence Unit.

Martin and Informed Choice

Martin Bamford is a Chartered Financial Planner, Chartered Wealth Manager and SOLLA Accredited Later Life Adviser. As Managing Director of Informed Choice, the award-winning firm of Chartered Financial Planners in Surrey, he is responsible for nearly £200m of client assets.

Martin is the author of several bestselling personal finance books and produced his first feature-length documentary in 2014, about the post-war Baby Boomer generation in retirement.

“Bamford excels at making even the dullest topics interesting” – Pensions Management

Visit www.icfp.co.uk to find out more about Informed Choice, or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/informedchoice.