It has been a well-known fact for some time that high levels of so-called “good” HDL cholesterol can help to protect against heart disease, now recent study results suggest that it may also help to preserve cognitive function and reduce the risk of dementia. Dr Nir Barzilai and colleagues at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City conducted a study of 139 men and women aged 95 to 107 to determine whether HDL levels were linked to mental abilities. Results showed that blood levels of HDH “correlated significantly” with how well an individual performed on a test of mental abilities. Barzilai concluded: “It is clear from the data we collected that increased HDL levels play an important role in maintaining superior cognition in longevity.”
SOURCE/REFERENCE: The Journal of Gerontology 2002; 57A
