| ▲ Research has shown that the greater the volatility of cholesterol levels, the greater the risk of dementia. (Image = DB) |
[메디컬투데이=이승재 기자] A study showed that the greater the instability of cholesterol levels, the greater the risk of dementia.
The results of a study investigating the effect of cholesterol level instability on the risk of dementia were presented at the ‘American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2024.’
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends reducing the amount of foods high in cholesterol because they can cause heart attacks and strokes.
Hypercholesterolemia, which refers to a high level of cholesterol in the blood, is usually caused by poor eating habits or lifestyle habits, but it may also be the result of genetics, underlying diseases, or under -effects of drugs.
According to the US CDC, 25 million American adults have hypercholesterolemia, which is a blood cholesterol level of 240 mg/dL or higher.
There are two types of cholesterol that are considered important in cardiovascular and metabolic health: LDL-C and HDL-C. LDL-C (low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol) accounts for most of the cholesterol in the body.
LDL-C creates an atherosclerotic plaque, which is a direct or indirect cause of various cardiovascular diseases, and is called ‘bad cholesterol’ for this reason. On the other hand, HDL-C (high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol) plays a role in transporting LDL-C from the blood into the liver, and for this reason, is called ‘good cholesterol’ to him.
It is known that when LDL-C levels in the blood are high and HDL-C levels are low, the risk of developing not only cardiovascular diseases such as coronary artery disease and stroke, but also other diseases such as hypertension mind increases.
In the ‘ASPREE Project’, researchers tracked and analyzed the medical data of 9,846 people in their 70s for 6 years to study the effect of cholesterol level instability on the risk of depression. During the six-year follow-up/observation period, 509 people developed depression, and 1,760 people showed cognitive decline rather than depression.
The variability in cholesterol levels was classified into four groups, from the greatest to the least.
The results of the study showed that the difference of total cholesterol and LDL-C levels was related to depression, but the difference of HDL-C and triglyceride levels was not related to depression.
The group with the largest difference in total cholesterol levels had a 60% higher risk of developing depression and a 23% higher risk of cognitive decline than the group with the smallest difference. In addition, the group with the greatest variability in LDL-C levels had a 48% greater risk of developing depression and a 27% greater risk of cognitive decline than the group with the least variability. less.
The researchers explained that the group with high cholesterol levels had poorer mental health, memory and reaction speed. Based on these findings, they concluded that the more unstable the cholesterol levels, the greater the risk of depression.
Medical Today Reporter Seungjae Lee ([email protected])
[저작권자ⓒ 메디컬투데이. 무단전재-재배포 금지]
2024-11-18 00:01:00
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How can individuals balance cholesterol management and cognitive health to potentially mitigate the risk of dementia?
Welcome to the World Today News interview segment. Today, we have two esteemed guests with us: Dr. James Smith, a renowned cardiologist, and Dr. Sarah Lee, a neuroscientist who specializes in dementia research. Thank you both for joining us today.
Dr. Smith, can you please share your thoughts on the relationship between unstable cholesterol levels and the risk of dementia? How does cholesterol management play a role in reducing this risk?
Dr. Lee, can you expand on the connection between cholesterol variability and cognitive decline discussed in the article? Additionally, what are some factors that contribute to cholesterol instability, and what implications does this have for dementia prevention?
Dr. Smith, what are your thoughts on the role of statins in managing unstable cholesterol levels and lowering the risk of dementia? Are there any potential side effects or limitations to their use?
Dr. Lee, are there any alternative treatments or lifestyle changes individuals can make to stabilize their cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of dementia? What role does exercise and diet play in this context?
Both doctors, there has been some discussion in the medical community about the link between cholesterol and inflammation in the brain. How does this relate to the findings presented in this article? Are there any other inflammatory markers that may be significant in understanding the connection between cholesterol and dementia risk?
what advice would you give to the public about managing their cholesterol levels and reducing the risk of dementia? Is it possible for individuals to take action to improve their cognitive health, even if they have a genetic predisposition to high cholesterol levels?
