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October 12, 2008 10:22:23 AM CDT

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Low 'Good' Cholesterol Hurts Memory

Posted Jul 1, 08 12:27 PM CDT in Science & Health 

(Newser) – Low levels of high-density lipoprotein—so-called "good" cholesterol—lead to memory failure and perhaps dementia, a study finds. Researchers followed subjects aged 55-61, and found that patients with low HDL levels were 53% more likely to experience memory loss. "We looked at cognitive decline in midlife, but it may turn out that this decline is a risk factor for dementia," one researcher tells WebMD.

"Physicians monitor these levels regularly, but I don't think we pay enough attention to HDL cholesterol," the researcher adds. "Our results show HDL cholesterol to be important for memory, so physicians and patients should be encouraged to monitor HDL."

Source CBS

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Middle-aged people who don't get enough HDL suffer memory loss, the study found.   (Shutterstock)
Without enough HDL, memory declines, which could lead to dementia.   (Shutterstock)
High HDL also helps prevent heart disease.   (Shutterstock)
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dementia  • cholesterol  • memory  • memory loss


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