Healthy living
Body matters
‘Good’ cholesterol keeps the mind sharp
Cholesterol isn't always bad for you. So-called 'good’ cholesterol may help keep your brain in tip top condition and even protect against dementia, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association
Cholesterol is a fatty substance produced naturally in the body and also found in foods. There are two types of cholesterol: the good sort - High Density Lipoproteins (HDL) and the bad sort - Low Density Lipoproteins (LDL). High levels of LDL cholesterol has been linked to a whole range of medical conditions including heart disease and stroke while a high level of HDL cholesterol has been shown to reduce the risk of heart attacks.
One of the functions of High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) is to transport cholesterol from the arteries back to the liver to be broken down. This helps prevent the arteries from furring up which can lead to cardiovascular disease.
Researchers from University College London and the French National Institute for Health and Medical Research (INSERM, France) looked at 3,673 Whitehall civil servants who were aged around 55. At the start of the study, the scientists tested the participants' memories using simple word recall exercises. They also took blood samples to measure blood cholesterol levels. The tests were then repeated five years later.
The results showed that participants who maintained high levels of ‘good’ HDL cholesterol had better memories. In fact the study found that by the age of 60 people with low levels of HDL were 53 per cent more likely to suffer memory loss compared than those with the highest levels of HDL.
‘Memory problems are key in the diagnosis of dementia,’ said Archana Singh-Manoux, lead author of the study. ‘We found that a low level of HDL may be a risk factor for memory loss in late midlife. This suggests that low HDL cholesterol might also be a risk factor for dementia.’
Singh-Manoux suggests that monitoring HDL levels as we get older may help predict the risk of developing dementia.
It is also thought that the HDL cholesterol may protect against the formation of plaques in the brain that are thought to lead to Alzheimer’s disease.
'This study shows that if there is not enough High Density Lipoprotein to transport cholesterol and other lipids around the body, it can not only increase your risk of heart disease but also affect your memory and may increase your risk of getting Alzheimer's disease,' said Dr Susanne Sorensen, Head of Research at the Alzheimer's Society.
‘We know that controlling cholesterol in midlife is important if you are to reduce your risk of developing vascular dementia later and this may also be important for the development of Alzheimer's disease. People should eat a healthy diet, low in salt and saturated fat and take regular exercise.
‘If you have high cholesterol you should also actively seek treatment from your GP to ensure you are doing everything possible to reduce your risk of dementia in later life.’
Five ways to increase your levels of HDL cholesterol
- Quit smoking - non-smokers have higher levels of 'good' HDL cholesterol in their blood.
- Exercise regularly ensuring you opt for cardiovascular exercise that is vigorous enough to work the heart and lungs.
- Up your intake of soluble fibre - eat at least two portions of high fibre foods such as porridge oats, brown rice, whole grains and lentils every day.
- Eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids - eat a portion of oily fish or drizzle a tablespoon of flax seed oil over a salad or steamed green vegetables.
- Cut out hydrogenated fats - highly refined, hydrogenated fats increase the levels of 'bad' LDL cholesterol in the blood so look out for them in foods such as biscuits, margarine and pastries.
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Reader comments
You suggest that because statins can reduce your LDL, they must be good for your memory etc. Unfortunately statins have had the opposite effect on me and whilst on them I had difficulty finishing sentences. Words jumped out of my mind and my family thought I was becoming senile. I suffered from muscle pains and other symptons. All this cleared up when I stopped taking statins and I am perfectly lucid once again. I had tried various statins but none of them agreed with me.
Posted by: Christina Gavigan | 09/07/2008 09:32:25
Information on this site is for interest only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should consult your own doctor about any specific health concerns.