Is ‘Bad’ Cholesterol Messing with Your Brain? New Study Says Yes

New research indicates that lower LDL cholesterol levels may decrease the risk of developing dementia.

A study published in the BMJ Journal of Neurology suggests that lower levels of LDL-C, commonly known as “bad” cholesterol, are associated with a reduced risk of dementia.

Dementia is a degenerative brain disorder characterized by cognitive decline, which goes beyond the natural aging process and is considered a pathological condition.

While the exact causes and treatments for dementia remain elusive, experts emphasize the importance of early diagnosis in slowing the disease’s progression.

Cholesterol plays crucial roles in the body, including forming cell membranes, producing steroid hormones, and generating bile in the liver. However, high levels of LDL-C are known to increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Researchers analyzed outpatient data from 12 million patients across 11 medical centers in South Korea between 1986 and 2020. U.S. health guidelines consider LDL-C levels below 100 mg/dL as healthy.

The study divided participants into two groups: 108,980 individuals with LDL-C levels above 130 mg/dL and another 108,980 with levels below 70 mg/dL.

After 180 days of follow-up, the group with LDL-C levels below 70 mg/dL showed a 26% lower risk of all-cause dementia and a 28% lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease compared to those with levels above 130 mg/dL. The researchers added that this effect diminished as LDL-C levels dropped further.

The team concluded that lower levels of LDL-C correlate with a reduced risk of developing dementia.