CHOLESTEROL and ALZHEIMER: The quality of good cholesterol in question

It has previously been shown that higher levels of HDL-C, known as “ good cholesterol », are nevertheless correlated with an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease. With age, HDL particles vary in size, composition and functioning and no longer perform their protective role as well.

The study evaluated, from 2000 to 2016, several times these characteristics in the blood of 503 participants in the HDL Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN) as well as their cognitive function. The analysis finds that:

• over time, the number of large HDL particles increases in women;
• these larger particles don’t work as well as their smaller counterparts;
• more small particles is associated with better cognitive function, including better episodic memory.

These data raise awareness of the importance of a healthy lifestyle, particularly for postmenopausal women, for better vascular, cerebrovascular, and cognitive health.

“High HDL-C levels are not necessarily and always protective for the aging brain,

a healthy lifestyle, including practicing physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight and not smoking can be a game-changer and protect brain health.”