Fluctuating cholesterol levels could raise your dementia risk, study warns

High cholesterol is the precursor to serious cardiovascular problems, ranging from heart disease to strokes.

However, new research, published in the journal Neurology, suggests that fluctuating levels of the fatty substance and triglycerides could also spell bad news for your dementia risk.

Study author Suzette J. Bielinski said: “Prevention strategies for Alzheimer’s and related dementias are urgently needed.

“Routine screenings for cholesterol and triglyceride levels are commonly done as part of standard medical care. 

“Fluctuations in these results over time could potentially help us identify who is at greater risk for dementia, help us understand mechanisms for the development of dementia and ultimately determine whether levelling out these fluctuations could play a role in reducing dementia risk.”

Using data from 11,571 people aged 60 or over who did not have a prior diagnosis of dementia, the research team looked at participants’ measurements of cholesterol blood lipids on at least three different days in the five years before the start of the study.

The researchers divided the participants into five equal groups based on how much the measurements fluctuated. 

During the average follow-up of 13 years, 2,473 people developed Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia.

The findings revealed that participants in the highest group had a 19 percent increased risk of dementia compared to those in the lowest group. 

Furthermore, when the team looked at triglycerides, those in the highest group had a 23 percent higher risk.

However, the scientists didn’t find a link between variations in “bad” and “good” cholesterol and an increased risk of dementia.

While the study found an association between fluctuating cholesterol levels and the mind-robbing condition, it does not prove that untamed blood lipids cause dementia.

The research team added that further studies are currently needed as it’s unclear why and how fluctuating levels of cholesterol and triglycerides are related to the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

How to keep cholesterol in check

From a healthy diet to exercise, there are many lifestyle tweaks that could help keep the fatty substance at bay.

A cholesterol-busting diet focuses on reducing your intake of saturated fats – think cheese, butter, sausages and biscuits. 

However, upping your intake of soluble fibre, found in the likes of avocados, apples and oats, could also help lower your levels.

Other helpful lifestyle tweaks include cutting back on alcohol, quitting smoking and exercising.