Scientists have found elevated cholesterol levels during midlife substantially increase the risk of developing Alzheimers disease or vascular dementia.
An international team of researchers from Kaiser Permanentes Division of Research and the University of Kuopio in Finland analyzed 10,000 individuals over a period of 40 years. Their work suggests those with high cholesteroldefined as 240 milligrams or more per deciliter of bloodwere at a 66 percent higher risk for developing Alzheimers.
They also found that even those with slightly elevated cholesterol increased their risk by 52 percent.
“This is an early risk factor for dementia that can be modified and managed by lowering cholesterol through healthy lifestyle changes,” says the studys senior author, Dr. Rachel Whitmer, adding that almost 100 million Americans have either high or borderline cholesterol levels.
There are a number of natural health resources that help lower cholesterol levels, including regular exercise and a proper diet.
Health practitioners have also recommended nutritional supplements containing fish oil, niacin and red yeast rice to help boost cardiovascular health. 