Low levels of 'good' cholesterol linked to memory loss
Publication Date:02/07/2008
People in their 50s are more likely to suffer from memory loss if they don't have enough 'good' cholesterol in their blood, a new study has found. But it's too soon to know whether treatments to improve your cholesterol level could protect against memory loss or Alzheimer's disease.
What do we know already?
Doctors have known for a long time that an unhealthy balance of cholesterol in your body can lead to health problems. Too much 'bad' cholesterol can clog up your arteries and lead to a heart attack or a stroke. 'Good' cholesterol seems to protect against these problems.
Researchers are also interested in whether unhealthy cholesterol levels could play a part in causing Alzheimer's disease or other kinds of dementia.
Researchers have now done a study looking at whether people's cholesterol levels in middle age affect their chances of getting memory loss. Although some memory loss is normal as people get older, memory problems are sometimes an early sign of Alzheimer's disease.
What does the new study say?
Having low amounts of 'good' cholesterol seemed to increase people's chances of getting memory loss.
The researchers looked at more than 3,000 people with an average age of 55. These people all had their cholesterol levels measured. They also did a memory test, where they tried to remember a list of 20 words.
Five years later, everyone had the same tests again. People whose 'good' cholesterol levels had fallen were likely to do less well on the memory test.
Having too much 'bad' cholesterol didn't affect people's chances of getting memory loss.
Where does the study come from?
The study was done by researchers based at University College London and at the French National Institute for Health and Medical Research. It appeared in a medical journal called Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology, which is published by the American Heart Association. It was funded by several organisations, including the British Heart Foundation and the European Science Foundation.
How reliable are the findings?
The study looked at 3,673 people and was done well. But the researchers only measured people's cholesterol levels and didn't look at the effects of trying to improve them. So, we don't know whether treatment to raise your 'good' cholesterol would help to protect against memory loss or Alzheimer's.
What does this mean for me?
The study doesn't tell us for certain that cholesterol levels are linked to Alzheimer's. It only looked at memory loss. The people in the study were mostly in their 50s, and Alzheimer's doesn't usually affect people until they're elderly.
Doctors usually suggest treatment to improve your cholesterol levels if you're at risk of heart problems or a stroke. Medicines and changes to your diet can improve your balance of 'good' and 'bad' cholesterol. But there hasn't been enough research to know if these treatments could help your memory or prevent Alzheimer's.
What should I do now?
Although doctors aren't sure yet whether there's a link between cholesterol and Alzheimer's, there are plenty of other reasons to keep a check on your cholesterol levels. Having too much 'bad' cholesterol and too little 'good' cholesterol can put you at risk of heart problems or a stroke.
A simple blood test can tell you your cholesterol level. Your GP is the best place to start, although some pharmacists offer cholesterol testing and you can also get home test kits. You have to avoid eating anything for several hours before a cholesterol test.
Medicines called statins are a common treatment for an unhealthy cholesterol level. A low-fat diet and exercise can also help. In particular, you should reduce your intake of saturated fats (found in dairy foods and in fatty meat) and of transfats (found in biscuits, cakes, pastries and some fast food). You can find how much of these fats different foods contain by looking at the product label.
From:
Singh-Manoux A, Gimeno D, Kivimaki M, et al. Low HDL cholesterol is a risk factor for deficit and decline in memory in midlife. The Whitehall II study. Published online 30 June 2008.
To read more, see our information on high cholesterol.
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This information does not replace medical advice. If you are concerned you might have a medical problem please ask your Boots pharmacy team in your local Boots store, or see your doctor.
