We’ve long known that keeping cholesterol levels in check can protect the heart. But what if that same strategy could also protect the brain?
In a time when dementia is expected to affect over 150 million people by 2050, the search for effective prevention methods has become more urgent than ever.
Now, a major study has uncovered a link between cholesterol and dementia that could change how we think about brain health entirely.
What the numbers quietly revealed
The researchers divided participants based on their levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), commonly referred to as “bad cholesterol”.
People with LDL-C levels below 1.8 mmol/L were compared with those whose levels exceeded 3.4 mmol/L.
The researchers found that those with lower LDL-C had a 26% reduced risk of developing dementia, and a 28% lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease specifically.
These are not small numbers and they suggest that something as routine as managing cholesterol could play a significant role in preserving brain function.
The researchers also looked at the impact of statins – cholesterol-lowering medications used by millions worldwide.
In individuals with already low LDL-C, taking statins offered additional protection: a 13% lower risk of dementia and a 12% reduction in Alzheimer’s risk compared to non-users.
The catch behind the breakthrough
Before rushing to the pharmacy, it’s worth noting that this was an observational study.
That means it can’t definitively prove that lowering LDL cholesterol or taking statins directly prevents dementia.
The study also only measured LDL-C levels at one point in time, and many other factors – like genetics, diet, and lifestyle – affect dementia risk.
Still, experts agree the findings are promising.
While the exact mechanisms remain unclear, the potential for a widely available drug to reduce dementia risk is something researchers are now keen to explore further.
Artiklen er baseret på informationer fra The Guardian.