HDL cholesterol, known as “good cholesterol,” is at the center of new research that suggests maintaining an adequate level of it may have long-term, but subtle, cognitive implications.
A team of American researchers from Boston University has identified a correlation between low or high levels of HDL cholesterol and a slightly increased risk of dementia among older adults.
Previous studies on this topic have not reached definitive conclusions, but this new study brings clarity due to the large number of participants and the long follow-up period. The project included 184,367 adults with an average age of 70 who did not have dementia at the start of the study.
The researchers measured HDL cholesterol levels during regular medical visits, which occurred about 2.5 times over the next two years. They then followed the patients for about nine years, and during that time, 25,214 people developed dementia.
The results showed that people with the highest levels of HDL cholesterol had a 15% higher risk of developing dementia compared to the group with average levels. On the other hand, people with the lowest levels of HDL cholesterol had a 7% higher risk than the group with average levels. The researchers adjusted these data for other factors that may influence dementia risk, such as alcohol habits, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
It is important to note that these increases in risk are small and their clinical uncertainty is still under discussion, according to study author Maria Glymour. In addition, the researchers found no significant association between LDL cholesterol (the “bad” cholesterol) and dementia risk.
These results add a complex new dimension to the association between HDL cholesterol and dementia, as it does with heart disease and cancer. It’s important to note that this is an observational study, so it can’t prove a direct causal relationship between HDL cholesterol levels and dementia.
The study also has some limitations, such as the volunteers’ self-reporting and the absence of hard data about diet and lifestyle, which could influence cholesterol levels. However, it does provide valuable information and underscores the importance of maintaining a healthy HDL cholesterol balance for long-term overall and cognitive health.
Source: 360medical.ro
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2023-10-08 09:38:39
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