Low levels of ‘good cholesterol’ have been linked to memory loss and an increased risk of dementia.

A study of more than 3,670 people found that those with low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) – known as ‘good cholesterol’ - performed worse in memory tests.

High levels of HDL cholesterol can decrease the risk of a heart attack, clear excess cholesterol from the blood, assist in nerve cell development and help control the formation of beta-amyloid, part of a plaque found in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients.

Scientists from the French National Institute for Health and Medical Research and the University College London in England found that at the age of 55, participants with low HDL cholesterol showed a 27% increased risk of memory loss when compared to those with high HDL.

At age 60, participants with low ‘good’ cholesterol levels had a 53% increased risk of memory loss. They were also more likely to see a decline in their ability to remember words, compared to those with high levels of ‘good cholesterol’.

Commenting on the study, Dr Susanne Sorensen, head of research at the UK Alzheimer's Society, said that the study showed that if there is not enough HDL to transport cholesterol around the body, ‘it can not only increase your risk of heart disease but can also affect your memory and may increase your risk of getting Alzheimer’s disease’.

“People should eat a healthy diet, low in salt and saturated fat and take regular exercise. If you have high cholesterol you should also actively seek treatment from your GP to ensure you are doing everything possible to reduce your risk of dementia in later life,” Dr Sorenson said.

To help raise HDL and lower LDL cholesterol:
• Exercise regularly
• Eliminate trans fats from the diet
• Reduce the intake of all fats, especially saturated fats
• Consume monounsaturated fats, such as olive, canola and peanut oils.

The study published in the journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology was a follow-up of a previous study, which began in 1985 and involved more than 10,000 British civil servants.

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