Have you ever looked at your blood test, or lipid profile? When you look at it, we feel very happy when we see that the "good cholesterol" (HDL) level is higher than the normal level, right? "Ah... there's nothing wrong with the heart, I have a lot of good cholesterol," we think. We all think that the higher this HDL, the better for our body, especially for the heart. However, you might be surprised to know that there is another side to the story that we don't know.
What is this new discovery?
Recently, a large study conducted by a group of researchers at Monash University in Australia has found something very important. This involved more than 18,000 people over the age of 65. So this is not something that can be taken lightly.
In this study, they found that people with abnormally high levels of 'good cholesterol' (HDL) were at a higher risk of developing dementia . Simply put, even though we used to think it was good, it seems that having too much of it is not necessarily good for brain health.
What is HDL cholesterol? Why is it called 'good'?
To understand this properly, we first need to know what HDL is. Think of the blood vessels in our body as roads. Sometimes, 'bad cholesterol' (LDL) can build up in these roads and block them. This is the root cause of diseases like heart disease.
HDL is like a 'garbage collector' that cleans these roads. That is, HDL removes unwanted bad cholesterol that has accumulated in the blood vessels and takes it back to the liver. This is why we call HDL 'good cholesterol' because it helps keep the blood vessels clean.
Generally, an HDL level between 40-60 mg/dL for a healthy adult man and 50-60 mg/dL for a woman is considered optimal.
The link between 'high' HDL levels and dementia
Now let's look at some of the data from that study. They say that an HDL level of more than 80 mg/dL is considered 'high'. The link between these levels and dementia risk is very clear.
| HDL cholesterol level (mg/dL) | Dementia risk |
|---|---|
| Optimal Range | Baseline Risk |
| Above 80 mg/dL (Very High) | A 27% increased risk. |
| People over 75 years old and above 80 mg/dL | A 42% increased risk. |
So what is Dementia?
Simply put, dementia is a general term for a range of conditions that occur with age and gradually impair brain function. The main symptoms are:
- Memory loss
- Difficulty speaking
- Decreased problem-solving ability
- Difficulty thinking to the point of being unable to perform daily tasks
The most common type of dementia among these is Alzheimer's disease .
Why is increasing HDL a problem?
You might be wondering, "How can an increase in something good be a problem?" The researchers' explanation for this is that this abnormally high HDL level isn't caused by eating well, as we might think. Instead, it could be a symptom of another metabolic problem in the body, such as diabetes.
Just as too much water can cause a flood, too much of a good thing can throw the body out of balance. High HDL levels may be a sign that the body's cholesterol metabolism is not working properly.
So what should I do now?
After reading this, you may feel scared. But don't worry. Let's understand this properly.
1. Don't panic: This is just one study. Scientists say that more research is needed to confirm this. So don't worry about your HDL levels just because you see this.
2. Talk to your doctor: If your latest blood test shows that your HDL level is much higher than 80 mg/dL, don't panic, but talk to your family doctor . He or she will take into account your overall health (other illnesses, medications, family medical history) and give you the necessary advice.
3. Don't make decisions alone: Never read an article like this and make decisions alone, stopping the medication your doctor prescribed or changing your treatment. That is very dangerous .
4. Balanced Lifestyle: Finally, the best thing for heart health as well as brain health is to maintain a balanced lifestyle. A good nutritious diet, regular exercise, adequate sleep, and mental well-being are very important for this.
Take-Home Message
- HDL is a type of 'good cholesterol' that is essential for our body. But like anything, abnormally high levels of it can be a problem.
- According to a recent study, HDL levels above 80 mg/dL have been found to increase the risk of dementia, especially in older people.
- Such high HDL levels are often not caused by diet alone, but rather as a symptom of another metabolic problem in the body.
- If your HDL level is very high, it is important not to panic, but to discuss it with your doctor and get the right advice.
- The best solution for both heart health and brain health is to adopt a balanced, healthy lifestyle.
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