The type and amount of cholesterol that may increase risk of dementia.
High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) at high levels could elevate the risk of dementia among middle-aged and older adults.
HDL-C, also known as the ‘good cholesterol’ because of its protective effect against heart disease, might play a different role in brain health.
According to a study, very high levels of HDL-C could increase the odds of developing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease by about 30 percent.
The research team noticed that excessive levels of HDL-C in older adults appeared to be unusual and not related to diet but probably caused by a metabolic disorder.
Title
For this study, 18,668 participants were tracked over 6 years.
Individuals with HDL cholesterol of 80 mg/dL (2.07 mmol/L) or above were 27 percent more likely to develop dementia than those with normal levels.
The normal level or the reference category of HDL cholesterol in this study was defined as 40-60 mg/dL (1.03–1.55 mmol/L).
Participants aged 75 and older were at a 42 percent higher risk of dementia than those with levels of 40-60 mg/dL.
Dr Monira Hussain, the study’s first author, said:
“While we know HDL cholesterol is important for cardiovascular health, this study suggests that we need further research to understand the role of very high HDL cholesterol in the context of brain health.
It may be beneficial to consider very high HDL cholesterol levels in prediction algorithms for dementia risk.”
Related
- Plant-based diets can lower total cholesterol levels.
- DASH diet can boost cognitive function.
- Getting only 1% less deep sleep each year increases dementia risk by 27%.
The study was published in The Lancet Regional Health—Western Pacific (Hussain et al., 2023).
