Hi, everyone. I’m family physician, Dr. Walt Larimore, with an Apple a Day. You may know that a high level of low-density lipoprotein, commonly known as LDL, or what I like to call “lethal cholesterol,” is bad for your heart. But did you know it is bad for your brain? A study in the journal The Lancet Healthy Longevity found that a high level of LDL is associated with a 60 percent increased risk of developing dementia or Alzheimer’s later in life.

Watch an Apple a Day with Walt Larimore, MD

TRANSCRIPT

Hi, everyone. I’m family physician, Dr. Walt Larimore, with an Apple a Day.

You may know that a high level of low-density lipoprotein, commonly known as LDL, or what I like to call “lethal cholesterol” is bad for your heart. But did you know it is bad for your brain?

A study in the journal The Lancet Healthy Longevity found that a high level of LDL is associated with a 60 percent increased risk of developing dementia or Alzheimer’s later in life.

The study, the largest ever of its kind, monitored 1.8 million United Kingdom adults and provides the strongest evidence so far of the relationship between blood cholesterol and dementia and Alzheimer’s.

The researchers have this message for younger adults:

• Eat a good diet,
• make sure that you don’t eat things that excessively raise your cholesterol, and
• get your lipids tested because if you have a high LDL, it can be easily treated before it damages your heart or brain.

Prevention of dementia and Alzheimer’s is particularly important since there is currently no cure for these diseases.

More details are available at DrWalt.com/blog. I’m Dr. Walt Larimore with your Apple a Day.

Online 8/17-21/21

Video Taped 9/3/21

TV 10/18-22

© Copyright WLL, INC. 2023. This blog provides healthcare tips and advice that you can trust about a wide variety of general health information only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from your regular physician. If you are concerned about your health, take what you learn from this blog and meet with your personal doctor to discuss your concerns.