In a surprising twist in understanding cholesterol and its impact on health, a study led by researchers from Monash University in Australia found that abnormally high levels of HDL-C, commonly known as 'good cholesterol', are associated with an increased risk of dementia in older adults. In other words, along with the well-known benefits of high HDL-C levels for heart health, they may be linked to cognitive decline. ChatGPT helps us digest the gospel.
The study, published in The Lancet Regional Health – Western Pacific, is one of the largest studies to date on the link between high levels of HDL-C and dementia risk among older adults without other comorbidities, most of whom were over the age of 70, enrolled in a study called ASPREE (Aspirin in Event Reduction in the Elderly). The researchers studied participants who had very high HDL-C levels at baseline and found a 27 percent higher risk of dementia compared to those with normal HDL-C levels. Furthermore, people 75 years of age and older with very high HDL-C levels showed a 42% increased risk of dementia compared to their counterparts with normal levels.
It is important to note that the very high levels of HDL-C associated with dementia risk in this study did not come from diet, but were associated with a possible metabolic disorder. Researchers suggest these findings could help doctors identify a group of older patients at risk for dementia, especially those 75 and older.
Dr. Munira Hussain, lead author and senior research fellow at Monash University's School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, highlighted the need for more research to clarify why very high levels of HDL-C may affect dementia risk. "It may be helpful to consider very high levels of HDL cholesterol in predictive dementia risk algorithms," she said.
Despite the surprise of this discovery, it is not surprising to find that 'good cholesterol', like many other factors that are generally considered positive and healthy, also has negative effects at high levels. This rule seems to apply to everything related to our health, and the real purpose of research is only to identify the links between all causes and all possible outcomes.
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