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We are often told that having good cholesterol, also known as high-density lipoproteins (HDL-C), is good because it lowers the risk of heart disease and stroke. But new research cautions that good cholesterol may not be great for all of us. The findings were discovered during a long-term study called ASPREE, which examines the effects of daily low-dose aspirin in prolonging good health and preventing or delaying age-related diseases in healthy older adults.
Researchers discovered that participants with high HDL-C (80mg/dL) have a 27% increased risk for dementia. And the findings for those 75 and older are even more important to note since these folks had a 42% increased risk for dementia. (An ideal HDL-C level is 40 to 60 mg/dL for men and 50 to 60 for women).
The study reported that among 18,668 participants included in this analysis, 2709 had very high HDL-C at study entry, with 38 incidents of dementia in those aged less than 75 years with very high levels and 101 in those aged 75 and more with very high levels.
But what’s interesting is that risk factors are not related to diet but might result from a metabolic disorder. More research is necessary to use these findings in a preventative manner. These findings may help unlock who contracts dementia. Our community must understand that our elders are twice as likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s—or other forms of dementia as older white Americans.
But according to the Alzheimer’s Association, only 35% of African Americans are concerned about Alzheimer’s or dementia.
However, in the meantime, begin monitoring your LDL, HDL, and Triglycerides numbers and work toward getting them all within healthy ranges. This may require modifications to diet, exercising more, and losing weight. But if you believe your numbers put you at higher risk for dementia in the future, it is essential to discuss this with your healthcare provider.
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