Contrary to the common belief that HDL cholesterol is beneficial, recent research indicates a potential risk of dementia in elderly individuals with high HDL levels.
Old Woman With Dementia
The Good Cholesterol?
HDL cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) is commonly called “good cholesterol” because it is associated with protection from cardiovascular diseases. It is common practice to recommend increasing its levels to prevent many health conditions such as atherosclerosis and coronary disease. However, a recent study has shown a link between high HDL cholesterol levels and an increased risk of developing dementia in old age.
The Study
The new study published in The Lancet Regional Health shows this association in a population of adults of at least 65 years of age. These people participated in the ASPREE (Aspirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly) study, a randomized, controlled trial in which healthy elderly people were given aspirin daily at the beginning of the study.
Six years later, there were 850 cases of dementia (4.6 percent of 18,668 participants). The researchers observed that participants with abnormally high levels of good cholesterol (above 80 mg/dL in the blood) had a 27 percent higher risk of dementia than others. Also, in older people (aged 75 years and older), high levels of good cholesterol were associated with a 42 percent higher risk of dementia. The ideal level of HDL cholesterol is between 40 and 60 mg/dL for men and between 50 and 60 mg/dL for women.
Still, the researchers felt that the very high HDL cholesterol levels associated with dementia risk in this study were not diet-related, but likely reflected a metabolic disorder. Further research is needed to better understand the biological mechanisms underlying dementia.
Final Thoughts
This study prompts a reevaluation of HDL cholesterol’s role in health. It’s crucial for individuals, especially the elderly, to consult healthcare professionals for personalized advice on managing cholesterol levels.
References
Hussain, S. M., Robb, C., Tonkin, A. M., Lacaze, P., Chong, T. T.-J., Beilin, L. J., Yu, C., Watts, G. F., Ryan, J., Ernst, M. E., Zhou, Z., Neumann, J. T., & McNeil, J. J. (2023). Association of plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level with risk of incident dementia: a cohort study of healthy older adults. The Lancet Regional Health – Western Pacific. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lanwpc.2023.100963
