Higher HDL Cholesterol Levels Linked to Better Memory in Middle Age

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Higher HDL Cholesterol Levels Linked to Better Memory in Middle Age

Researchers found a possible connection between high HDL (good) cholesterol levels and improved brain function in middle age and beyond.

ALZHEIMER'S RISK? High levels of HDL or "good" cholesterol may improve memory in middle-aged people, suggests a new British study. Diminishing memory in midlife often precedes Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia, so researchers recommend doctors and patients monitor cholesterol levels.

by Patricia McFadden
Informify Staff Writer
July 2, 2008

The study measured high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels in 3,673 people between 1995 and 1997, and again between 2002 and 2004. Study participants took a memory test at the same time. Results showed that those with low levels of HDL had a higher risk of memory loss as they aged. They were, therefore, more at risk for developing Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia.

Whitehall Study Compares Aging Memory to Cholesterol Levels

University College London researchers published their findings in the July 1, 2008, issue of the American Heart Association's journal, Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology.

They followed 955 women and 2,718 men who were British civil servants, as part of the U.K.'s Whitehall II long-term health study.

Researchers tested participants' memory by reading aloud 20 one- or two-syllable words every two seconds. After hearing all the words, participants had two minutes to write down as many as they could remember.

Age of people at time of test:	55	60
Increased risk of memory loss for people with low HDL cholesterol compared to people with high HDL:	27%	53%

The study also found the following:

No gender difference—there was no meaningful difference between men's and women's results
No association with triglycerides or cholesterol—memory loss wasn't related to levels of triglycerides or total cholesterol levels.
No effect from Statin—drugs used to raise HDL cholesterol and lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL or "lousy") cholesterol had no discernible effect.

Researcher Calls Population Explosion of Seniors ‘Dementia Time Bomb’

Seniors over 65 years old make up the fastest growing population worldwide. As people get older, their risk of developing dementia increases.

A study released by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in June estimated that the number of Alzheimer's patients could exceed 106 million by the year 2050.

Leader researcher Archana Singh-Manoux of the French National Institute for Health and Medical Research and the University College London, referred to this situation as a "dementia time bomb." She said she hopes the study's findings help focus attention on the possible role of higher levels of HDL cholesterol in slowing memory loss.

"Our results show HDL cholesterol to be important for memory," Singh-Manoux said, "Thus, physicians and patients should be encouraged to monitor levels of HDL cholesterol." (U.S. News & World Report, 6/30/08)

Other Researchers Say Study Does Not Prove Direct Link Between HDL Levels, Memory Loss

Other researchers have a wait-and-see attitude toward the study's findings, however.

"At this point I would be very cautious," said Anatol Kontush, research director at the French National Institute for Health and Medical Research. "The biochemistry underlying HDL and brain function is completely unclear. We need much more basic information before going in to modify levels." He warned data from isolated studies "can lead in completely wrong directions." (U.S. News & World Report, 6/30/08)

Dr. Ronald Petersen, director of the Alzheimer's Disease Research Center at the Mayo Clinic and vice chair of the Alzheimer's Association's medical and scientific advisory council, also advised caution.

"In a general sense, other data are converging to indicate that managing vascular risk factors may be helpful in Alzheimer's disease," Petersen said. "This is supportive of that. But at the same time, we have to be very cautious about whether there is a direct link between HDL and mental function." (U.S. News & World Report, 6/30/08)

Question for Readers:

Do you plan on making any lifestyle changes to increase your HDL because of this new study, or will you wait until there's more research?

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, also known as "good" cholesterol, benefits health in many ways:

lowers risk of heart attack by removing excess LDL ("lousy") cholesterol from bloodstream
helps nerve cells develop
controls production of beta-amyloid, a protein plaque build-up found in the brain tissue of Alzheimer's patients

Making some common-sense lifestyle changes can increase your HDL levels without the unwanted side effects of drug therapy:

Exercise. Aerobic activity that raises your heart rate for 20 to 30 minutes is a very effective ways to increase HDL levels.
Lose weight. Obesity contributes to both high LDL cholesterol (lousy) and low HDL (good) cholesterol. Obesity may also increase Alzheimer's risk by 80%.
Stop smoking. Tobacco use inhibits the production of HDL cholesterol.
Don't eat trans fatty acids. Most prepared foods contain trans fatty acids—look out for products that list "partially hydrogenated vegetable oils" on their nutrition labels. Trans fatty acids increase LDL cholesterol levels and reduce HDL cholesterol levels.
Do eat monounsaturated fats. Monounsaturated fats, including canola, avocado, peanut and olive oils increase HDL cholesterol without increasing total cholesterol levels.
Eat vegetables, fruit, whole grains and legumes. Soluble fiber found in these foods helps reduce LDL cholesterol and increase HDL cholesterol.
Eat fish. Fish and other foods containing omega-3 fatty acids increase HDL levels.