A new study just reported in the Archives of Neurology found that having higher HDL or good cholesterol was associated with a decreased risk of both probable and possible Alzheimer’s disease. Both high cholesterol and Alzheimer’s disease are highly frequent in western societies, with a staggering 1 out of 5 Americans reporting high bad cholesterol levels and 1 out of 8 persons over 65 having Alzheimer’s. Although doctors don’t agree on just how much a healthy heart can protect against Alzheimer’s disease, most do believe there is a connection between the two.
The belief is that excess bad cholesterol in the blood leads to increased bad cholesterol in the brain, and that increased production of cholesterol in the brain promotes production of plaques, which cause Alzheimer’s.
Guidelines for cholesterol recommend that men raise HDL levels that are under 40 mg/dL and that women increase HDL numbers under 50 mg/dL. An HDL of 60 mg/dL or higher with a total cholesterol level of under 200 is optimal.
AAging Better In-Home Care has caregivers who are well trained in caring for both someone trying to lower his or her cholesterol level and those who have Alzheimers disease. Besides traditional home care services, we can prepare tasty and nutritious meals, assist with exercise and activity, provide a watchful eye for loved ones that might wander and provide medication reminders.
Contact AAging Better at 866.464.2344 for a free in-home assessment and discover whether home care is appropriate for your situation and how we might help provide you with full-time care or respite care, if needed.
