Keeping cholesterol levels low may protect your brain as well as your heart, according to a recent study.
Researchers at the University of Bristol in the UK analyzed data on more than 1 million people in Europe. They found that people who have certain genetic variants that lower non-high-density lipoprotein (non-HDL) cholesterol naturally also have a reduced risk of dementia.
These genetic variants have similar effects as drugs that lower cholesterol, such as statins.
The researchers compared data on people with such genetic variants to those without them. This enabled them to study how the variants influence dementia risk.
The researchers concluded that having a low non-HDL cholesterol level helps reduce dementia risk regardless of whether the reduced levels are the result of natural factors or medical treatment.
The reduction in risk is potentially significant. Lowering the amount of cholesterol in the blood by a mere 1 millimole per liter — equal to about 39 mg/dL — was associated with up to an 80% lower risk of developing dementia.
The study results were published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia, the medical journal of the Alzheimer’s Association.
What is non-HDL cholesterol?
A cholesterol blood test is a panel that measures multiple types of cholesterol. You’re likely familiar with total cholesterol, HDL (or “good”) cholesterol and LDL (a “bad”) cholesterol.
Non-HDL cholesterol essentially represents all the types of cholesterol in your blood except HDL cholesterol. It’s computed by subtracting your HDL cholesterol level from your total cholesterol level.
In other words, non-HDL cholesterol represents all the types of “bad” cholesterol, including LDL.
For most people, an ideal non-HDL cholesterol level is less than 130 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), according to the Mayo Clinic. Higher levels indicate a higher risk of heart disease.
For someone who has had a heart attack, doctors might want to see a non-HDL cholesterol level of even less than 130 mg/dL.
Want to know your non-HDL cholesterol level? You should be able to find it on your blood work results if you have a copy. Or you can ask your health care provider for the information.
Why is non-HDL cholesterol important?
Having a high non-HDL cholesterol level puts you at an elevated risk for heart disease.
In addition, high levels of non-HDL cholesterol can lead to more atherosclerotic plaques, which can contribute to blockage of the blood vessels, boosting the chances of a heart attack or stroke.
The researchers said they were not sure why lower levels of non-HDL cholesterol appear to reduce the risk of dementia. However, in a summary of the study findings, study leader Dr. Liv Tybjærg Nordestgaard speculated that it could be due to the fact that high cholesterol can lead to atherosclerosis — which is hardening of the arteries:
“Atherosclerosis is a result of the accumulation of cholesterol in your blood vessels. It can be in both the body and the brain and increases the risk of forming small blood clots — one of the causes of dementia.”
How to lower your non-HDL cholesterol level
Lifestyle changes and a regimen of medications can help improve your non-HDL cholesterol level and reduce your risk of heart issues. Doing so may also lower your risk of being diagnosed with dementia.
According to the Heart Research Institute in Australia, helpful changes you can make to your lifestyle include:
- Avoiding foods high in saturated fats, trans fats and cholesterol
- Eating foods rich in fiber — such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains — and foods with healthy fats, such as fatty fish and nuts
- Drinking alcohol in moderation
- Avoiding smoking
In addition, take any medication as your physician prescribes to help control your cholesterol levels.
Learn more about how your diet can help your cholesterol levels in “I’m a Nutritionist. Here Are 7 Foods That Can Actually Lower Your Cholesterol (and How They Work)..”
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