Nutrition
Changes In Cholesterol Linked To Risk Of Dementia: Study
Photo by Kindel Media/Pexels
Nutrition
Changes In Cholesterol Linked To Risk Of Dementia: Study
Your nutrition and your brain health are deeply intertwined, as new research points to a link between dementia and cholesterol.
A new study has found that stable cholesterol levels are linked to a lower risk of developing dementia.
The Australian and American study followed nearly 10,000 adults in their 70s for six years. Those with cholesterol levels that fluctuated significantly from year to year without medication showed higher rates of cognitive decline. In fact, those in the highest percentile were associated with a 60 percent increase in dementia and a 23 percent increase in cognitive decline.
Throughout the study’s follow-ups, 509 participants were diagnosed with dementia, and 1,760 developed cognitive decline without a dementia diagnosis.
Researchers also found that low-dose aspirin was not effective in reducing the risk of heart disease for the participants.
Fluctuations of “good cholesterol”—the kind that helps remove other forms of cholesterol from the bloodstream and is linked to a lower risk of heart disease—were not associated with cognitive decline.
In Canada, almost half of Canadians aged 40 to 59 experience high cholesterol, according to the Canadian Women’s Heart Health Centre. Beyond the cognitive impacts, high cholesterol is associated with a higher risk of developing heart disease and stroke.
Reducing your intake of saturated and trans fat, staying active, not smoking, and, if required, taking medication can help keep your cholesterol at a healthy level.
Not to worry—there's no shortage of healthy and delicious heart-healthy recipes to keep you on track!
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