LDL ‘bad’ reduced cholesterol can reduce dementia risk: Study
Researchers in South Korea have found that people with low levels of LDL cholesterol, commonly known as poor cholesterol, had a low risk of developing dementia including Alzheimer’s disease.
According to a study published in neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry journals, the low level of bad cholesterol in the blood can reduce the risk of dementia by 26%.
Researchers in South Korea found that people with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), commonly known as poor cholesterol, were less risk of developing dementia including Alzheimer’s disease.
Demstruth is a group of conditions that affect the thought process of the brain progressively, demolish memory and logic. It keeps the brain at a very high age. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, and it is becoming a public health concern.
The study analyzed health data of 5,71,000 people in South Korea, which did not detect dementia.
Among them, LDL-C level in 1,92,213 was below 1.8 mmol/l, while 3,79,006 levels were above 3.4 mmol/l. LDL-C levels were at risk of 26% less dementia and 28% lower risk of Alzheimer’s compared to high levels of people with LDL-C levels 1.8 mmol/l.
The study also found that statin, pills usually prescribed for low cholesterol, provided additional protection. Among the low LDL-C participants, people who use Statin had a 13% lower risk of dementia and 12% lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease compared to non-uses.
Previous research has linked high cholesterol to the rising risk of dementia, but this study suggests that lowering LDL-C can have protective effects.
The Lancet had earlier reported that 7% of the 7% dementia was related to high cholesterol in the midlife. With the expectation of triple globally by 2050, it is important to understand the ways to reduce the risk.
However, researchers take precautions that this was an observation study, which means that it could not confirm the cause and impact. Cholesterol levels change over time, and other factors can also contribute to dementia.
Researchers wrote, “These findings support the need for targeted lipid management as a preventive strategy against dementia, which reflects the importance of individual treatment approaches.”
While more research is required, conclusions suggest that the management of cholesterol through lifestyle changes or drugs can help protect brain health and reduce the risk of dementia.
