It's important for older adults to monitor their levels of good cholesterol and bad cholesterol, as a new study featured on Medical News Today reveals that they may affect a person's risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers from the University of California examined the blood tests and brain scans of 74 men and women aged 70 and above. Three had mild dementia, 38 had mild cognitive impairment, while the remaining 33 had normal mental function and acted as the control.
Based on the available data, the research team found that those with higher levels of bad cholesterol and lower levels of good cholesterol were more likely to have amyloid plaques in the brain. Amyloid plaques have been known to aid in the development of Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers believe that we should start controlling cholesterol levels early on in order to avoid negative health repercussions in life. We can do this by living a healthy lifestyle, eating right, exercising regularly, and avoiding vices such as smoking and drinking.
(Photo by psyberatist via Flickr Creative Commons)
