Experts found out that border line or higher levels of cholesterol during midlife may actually lead to a higher potential of having Alzheimer’s disease in the latter part of an individual’s life.
This study conducted by medical doctors is the first to connect borderline cholesterol in mid-age individuals to higher risk for dementia after 30 years.
They also found out that treating the high cholesterol level with doses of statin drugs may also decrease the risk for dementia. A healthier heart may actually lead to a healthier mind it seems.
The research involved 9844 individuals whose levels of cholesterol were measured between 1964 through 1973 when these male and female patients were on the range of 40 to 45 years of age.
The proponents of the study reviewed the medical records of the same subject group between 1994 through 2007 and found out that 469 were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and about 127 showed affection with vascular dementia. Vascular dementia is second to Alzheimer’s as the most common form of dementia. It is casued by blocked blood vessels and other conditions which has something to do with the brain’s blood supply.
Individuals with high levels of cholesterol, readings of 240mg/dL or higher, during midlife had a 57% greater chance to have Alzheimer’s disease compared to people who had 200mg/dL cholesterol level during their midlife.
Borderline cholesterol level or 200 to 239 mg/dL during midlife proved to increase by 50% the chance of having vascular dementia.
The findings are very significant especially when place side by side with the information that 100 million Americans have borderline or high cholesterol levels at present.