When you go to the clinic, the doctor tells you to check your cholesterol, right? Sometimes we look at the report and we are happy, our cholesterol level has gone down a lot. But the next time we look at it, it has gone up a little. And then we look at it again, it has gone down. Many of us think that only high cholesterol is dangerous. But did you know, a recent study has found that constantly fluctuating cholesterol levels is not good for our brain health.
What does this new research say?
This is a really important study. It was conducted on more than 9,800 Australian adults in their 70s. They monitored their cholesterol levels for several years, and then looked at their brain activity for several more years.
So, the results are really sobering. Researchers found that people whose cholesterol levels fluctuated significantly from year to year had a 60% higher risk of developing dementia, a progressive memory loss condition, within the next six years.
Not only that, their risk of cognitive decline, which is the gradual decline in their abilities to think, remember, and learn new things, has also increased by 23% .
Importantly, this risk is not related to whether or not you take cholesterol-lowering drugs (e.g., statins). What's important is the unstable, fluctuating nature of cholesterol levels.
Which type of cholesterol does this affect the most?
Although we talk about cholesterol, there are several types of fats in our blood. This research has found that changes in not all types of cholesterol have the same effect. You can easily understand this by looking at the table below.
| Lipid Type | Simply put... | Linked to dementia risk |
|---|---|---|
| Total Cholesterol | The sum of all the cholesterol in your blood. | A strong association has been shown. Frequent changes in level increase the risk. |
| LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) | We call this "bad cholesterol." It can build up in your blood vessels. | A strong association has been shown. Frequent changes in level increase the risk. |
| HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) | We call this "good cholesterol." It helps remove bad cholesterol from the body. | This research did not find a strong relationship. |
| Triglycerides | Another type of fat stored in the body. | This research did not find a strong relationship. |
Is a one-time checkup not enough?
Now you might be thinking, "I had my cholesterol checked last month, and it was normal. So there's nothing wrong with that, right?" But experts say that a single test alone cannot give a complete picture of our health.
Think about it, many people in Sri Lanka know that blood pressure and blood sugar levels, which are considered diabetes, are constantly fluctuating, which is a risk factor for heart disease and stroke. The same is true of cholesterol. Even if you look at it once and say the level is good, what is important is whether it remains stable over time.
According to a professor of neurology in the United States who was not involved in this research, this discovery completes a very important piece of the puzzle of maintaining brain health.
A single cholesterol test alone cannot provide the full picture. Regular visits to the doctor, regular blood tests as prescribed, and monitoring your levels are essential to maintaining your brain health.
So should we be worried about this?
Not at all. We should be aware of research like this, but we shouldn't be unnecessarily afraid. We need to remember two things.
1. This is preliminary research: This is still preliminary research. This means that it has not yet been fully tested and approved by other scientists around the world. So further studies are needed before this can be taken as a definitive conclusion.
2. Limitations of the research: Most of the participants in this research were white people living in Australia. So, further research is needed to see if these results are applicable to our Asian and Sri Lankan populations as well.
But the message we get from this is very clear. That is, the importance of maintaining important health metrics in our body, such as cholesterol, blood pressure, and sugar levels, at the same level.
Take-Home Message
- It's important to keep your cholesterol levels stable, as frequent fluctuations can be a risk to brain health as you age.
- Be especially aware of any major changes in your total cholesterol and 'bad' cholesterol (LDL-C) levels.
- Get your cholesterol checked at regular intervals as advised by your doctor. Don't base your decisions on just one report.
- If you notice a significant change in your cholesterol levels, don't be afraid to talk to your family doctor. He or she will be able to advise you on the necessary treatment and lifestyle changes.
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