Latest news with #JournalofNeurologyNeurosurgery&Psychiatry
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Lowering levels of bad cholesterol could cut your risk of dementia by 26%, new study claims
Lowering your levels of bad cholesterol could significantly curb your risk of dementia, new research suggests. Last year, an international panel of dementia experts said that high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol – commonly referred to as 'bad' cholesterol – are a risk factor for dementia. But the new study, which included nearly 109,000 people, offers a clearer picture of exactly how strong that link is. People with lower LDL cholesterol levels had a 26 per cent lower risk of dementia, and a 28 per cent lower risk of Alzheimer's disease specifically, according to the study, which was published on Tuesday in the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry. Taking statins, which help lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke, provided 'additional protective effects,' the study found. Related EU regulators block new Alzheimer's drug citing potentially fatal side effects People with low LDL cholesterol levels who took statins had a 13 per cent lower risk of dementia compared with those who did not take them. There are two types of cholesterol: LDL cholesterol contributes to buildups of fatty deposits in the arteries, raising the risk of heart problems. Meanwhile high-density lipoprotein (HDL), which is often called 'good' cholesterol, clears LDL cholesterol from the arteries and brings it back to the liver, where it can be broken down. In the study, the reduction in dementia risk was most apparent for people with LDL cholesterol levels below 70 mg/dL. People with very low levels - below 30 mg/dL - did not see an added risk reduction. The findings suggest that helping people manage their cholesterol could be an effective way to slow down or prevent dementia, according to the researchers from several universities in South Korea. Related How to lower your dementia risk as cases expected to rise by 2060 'The results give a convincing argument for researchers to consider LDL cholesterol in addition to the classic approaches,' Dr Francesco Tamagnini, a neurophysiologist at the University of Reading in the UK who was not involved with the study, said in a statement. Dementia affects an estimated 57 million people worldwide, a number that is expected to triple by 2050. However, experts believe that about half of dementia cases could be delayed or prevented altogether. To date, much dementia research has focused on abnormal amyloid beta plaques, which are build-ups of protein in the brain and characteristic of Alzheimer's, the most common form of dementia. 'There is clearly more to the story of Alzheimer's than we first thought,' Tamagnini said. Related Experimental drug may slow dementia onset for patients with rare genetic form of Alzheimer's It's too soon to say that LDL cholesterol actually causes dementia. The study has some limitations, including the fact that it tracked people's health data retroactively, meaning other factors may have played a role in the link between lower LDL cholesterol levels and dementia risk. 'Dementia risk is complex and influenced by many factors,' Dr Julia Dudley, who leads research at Alzheimer's Research UK, said in a statement. Related Eating too much red meat linked to an increased risk of dementia and cognitive decline 'Without a detailed picture of what's going on in the brain we do not know if there is a direct link between lower cholesterol and reduced dementia risk,' she added. The next step is for researchers to do clinical trials that test whether statins to lower LDL cholesterol could help slow the disease progression. 'In the meantime, keeping our hearts healthy remains one of the most effective ways we can protect our brain health,' Dudley said.
Euronews
02-04-2025
- Health
- Euronews
Lowering levels of bad cholesterol could cut your risk of dementia by 26%, new study claims
ADVERTISEMENT Lowering your levels of bad cholesterol could significantly curb your risk of dementia, new research suggests. Last year, an international panel of dementia experts said that high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol – commonly referred to as 'bad' cholesterol – are a risk factor for dementia. But the new study, which included nearly 109,000 people, offers a clearer picture of exactly how strong that link is. People with lower LDL cholesterol levels had a 26 per cent lower risk of dementia, and a 28 per cent lower risk of Alzheimer's disease specifically, according to the study , which was published on Tuesday in the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry. Taking statins, which help lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke, provided 'additional protective effects,' the study found. Related EU regulators block new Alzheimer's drug citing potentially fatal side effects People with low LDL cholesterol levels who took statins had a 13 per cent lower risk of dementia compared with those who did not take them. There are two types of cholesterol: LDL cholesterol contributes to buildups of fatty deposits in the arteries, raising the risk of heart problems. Meanwhile high-density lipoprotein (HDL), which is often called 'good' cholesterol, clears LDL cholesterol from the arteries and brings it back to the liver, where it can be broken down. In the study, the reduction in dementia risk was most apparent for people with LDL cholesterol levels below 70 mg/dL. People with very low levels - below 30 mg/dL - did not see an added risk reduction. The findings suggest that helping people manage their cholesterol could be an effective way to slow down or prevent dementia, according to the researchers from several universities in South Korea. Related How to lower your dementia risk as cases expected to rise by 2060 'The results give a convincing argument for researchers to consider LDL cholesterol in addition to the classic approaches,' Dr Francesco Tamagnini, a neurophysiologist at the University of Reading in the UK who was not involved with the study, said in a statement. Search for answers on dementia continues Dementia affects an estimated 57 million people worldwide, a number that is expected to triple by 2050. However, experts believe that about half of dementia cases could be delayed or prevented altogether. To date, much dementia research has focused on abnormal amyloid beta plaques, which are build-ups of protein in the brain and characteristic of Alzheimer's, the most common form of dementia. 'There is clearly more to the story of Alzheimer's than we first thought,' Tamagnini said. Related Experimental drug may slow dementia onset for patients with rare genetic form of Alzheimer's It's too soon to say that LDL cholesterol actually causes dementia. The study has some limitations, including the fact that it tracked people's health data retroactively, meaning other factors may have played a role in the link between lower LDL cholesterol levels and dementia risk. 'Dementia risk is complex and influenced by many factors,' Dr Julia Dudley, who leads research at Alzheimer's Research UK, said in a statement. ADVERTISEMENT Related Eating too much red meat linked to an increased risk of dementia and cognitive decline 'Without a detailed picture of what's going on in the brain we do not know if there is a direct link between lower cholesterol and reduced dementia risk,' she added. The next step is for researchers to do clinical trials that test whether statins to lower LDL cholesterol could help slow the disease progression. 'In the meantime, keeping our hearts healthy remains one of the most effective ways we can protect our brain health,' Dudley said.
The Guardian
01-04-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
Lowering bad cholesterol may cut risk of dementia by 26%, study suggests
Lowering your levels of bad cholesterol could reduce the risk of dementia by 26%, a study suggests. People with low levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in their blood have a lower overall risk of dementia, and a reduced risk of Alzheimer's disease specifically, according to research published in the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry. Taking statins also provided an 'additional protective effect' against the condition for those people with low levels of bad cholesterol, researchers found. The number of people living with dementia worldwide is forecast to nearly triple to 153 million by 2050, but evidence suggests almost half of cases could be prevented or delayed. LDL-C is often referred to as bad cholesterol and can cause plaque to build in arteries, leading to cardiovascular disease, which can increase the risk of strokes, heart attacks and death. However, until recently, the relationship between LDL-C levels and dementia has been less clear. Last year, a Lancet report found 7% of cases of dementia were linked to high levels of bad cholesterol in midlife. Now a new study suggests having low levels of LDL-C could reduce the risk of dementia by a quarter. Researchers collected data on 571,000 people in South Korea who had not been diagnosed with dementia – 192,213 people with LDL-C levels less than 1.8 mmol/L and 379,006 patients with LDL-C levels higher than 3.4 mmol/L (>130mg/dL). Analysis of subsequent diagnoses of dementia showed that LDL-C levels below 1.8 mmol/L were associated with a 26% reduction in the risk of dementia and a 28% cut in the risk of Alzheimer's disease specifically, compared with LDL-C levels above 3.4 mmol/L. Statins appeared to offer additional protection against dementia in the presence of low LDL-C levels. Among people with LDL-C levels below 1.8 mmol/L, statin use was linked with a 13% reduction in dementia risk and a 12% cut in risk of Alzheimer's disease, compared with non-users. This was an observational study, and no firm conclusions can be drawn about cause and effect. The authors also acknowledged several limitations, including the focus on baseline LDL-C levels when lipid profiles could change over time. Sign up to First Edition Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion Nevertheless, they concluded: 'Low LDL-C levels … are significantly associated with a reduced risk of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease-related dementia, with statin therapy providing additional protective effects.' Dr Francesco Tamagnini, a neurophysiologist at the University of Reading, who was not involved with the study, said: 'There is clearly more to the story of Alzheimer's than we first thought. 'This paper looks at the correlation and potential causal relationship between high levels of bad cholesterol and dementia risk. The results give a convincing argument for researchers to consider LDL cholesterol in addition to the classic approaches.' Dr Julia Dudley, head of research at Alzheimer's Research UK, said: 'The use of statins seemed to offer a protective effect – even in those who already had cholesterol levels within a lower range. 'However, dementia risk is complex and influenced by many factors. Without a detailed picture of what's going on in the brain, we do not know if there is a direct link between lower cholesterol and reduced dementia risk. 'Clinical trials will be key to understand what effects statins might be having on disease processes in the brain.'
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Fish-rich diet can slow progression of multiple sclerosis, study suggests
Feb. 25 (UPI) -- A diet rich in fish may help slow down the progression of the incurable, often disabling autoimmune disease of multiple sclerosis, according to new, long-term Swedish study published Tuesday. While several past studies have shown a powerful relationship between the omega-3 fatty acids found in oily fish, such as salmon and cod, and the prevention of MS, the new effort appears to also show that fish consumption can slow down the progression or worsening of the disease over lengthy periods of time. New evidence also exists that lean, as well as oily fish, can provide long-term benefits for battling MS, leading researchers to surmise that other ingredients present in all fish -- perhaps the abundant amino acid taurine -- could provide new avenues for MS treatment. The new study appeared Tuesday in the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry. One of its lead authors, Dr. Anna Hedstrom of the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, said the results are significant because they are among the first to show that a diet rich in fish can do more than just prevent the onset of the disease, which affects about 1 million U.S. residents. "We found that patients who increased their fish consumption post-diagnosis also experienced a lower risk of disability progression," Hedstrom told UPI in an email. "This suggests that dietary modifications -- even after MS diagnosis -- may still influence disease course, which is highly relevant for patients looking for lifestyle-based strategies to complement medical treatment." The longitudinal study, which tracked more than 2,700 MS patients over a period of 15 years across Sweden, provides "robust" evidence that higher total fish consumption is associated with a reduced risk of MS disability worsening, including progression from a "3" rating on a widely used disability status scale to a "4." Moreover, the results yielded another finding that could trigger a push into new treatment avenues for MS, a disease in which the body's immune system attacks the "myelin sheath" fatty layer surrounding nerves. Results showing lean fish consumption also producing long-term benefits indicates other micronutrients rather than just omega-3 acids could be at play. Hedstrom one such ingredient could be taurine, an abundant amino acid found in natural dietary sources such as eggs, milk, seafood and meat. It is thought to play a central role as a neurotransmitter and a protector of the nervous system. "The fact that both lean and oily fish were associated with a reduced risk of disability progression suggests that multiple nutrients in fish may contribute to their beneficial effects," she said. "While omega-3 fatty acids in oily fish are well known for their anti-inflammatory properties, the similar findings for lean fish consumption suggest that other bioactive compounds, such as taurine, may also play a role." Taurine, she added, "is an interesting candidate for further exploration as a potential modulator of neuroinflammation in MS and other autoimmune diseases." Many MS sufferers already take omega-3 supplements for their anti-inflammatory and neurological health benefits. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society has cited earlier research associating fish consumption with lower risks of developing MS, including one in study in which participants with a high fish intake had a 45% reduced risk of having diagnoses of MS or a related condition, Clinically Isolated Syndrome, when compared with the ones with a low fish intake. Kathy Zackowski, the MS Society's associate vice president for research, told UPI that while the apparent link between fish consumption and controlling the disease is a promising one, sufferers shouldn't assume any one food alone will affect their condition. "It's easy to get the message 'eat fish' when you have MS, but we really need to understand what features in the fish are actually contributing to fighting MS -- is it the omega-3 fatty acids? Is it other things that are in certain kinds of fish? Is it the way the fish are grown that make a difference? Do we need a certain volume to get the benefits? "No one knows. I think these are questions that we haven't even gotten to yet. There are still many holes in what we understand." Zackowski said it's crucial for MS sufferers who are desperately seeking answers for their debilitating plights to understand that while eating fish may be beneficial, it's just one aspect of a diet that requires "a wide variety of nutrients for a healthy life."
