Alzheimer's disease: this is why it is important to pay attention to nutrition and cholesterol

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Every 100 seconds someone begins to suffer from dementia. Many are afraid of losing their memory in old age. But the disease affects not only the elderly since ancient times. Researchers have found that high cholesterol levels may be especially dangerous for diseases at a young age.

Most patients diagnosed with dementia are over 65 years old. In younger patients, the disease occurs much less often. However, according to the German Alzheimer Society, about 24,000 people under the age of 65 also suffer. In addition to genetic predisposition, a possible trigger of the disease at a young age can be high cholesterol. This was found out by researchers from the USA.

Cholesterol is already known as a risk factor for other diseases

They examined blood and DNA samples from more than 2,000 people and found that the risk of dementia before age 65 was particularly high for men and women with high cholesterol. In particular, we are talking about the so-called LDL cholesterol, commonly known as “bad” cholesterol. This has a negative effect on blood vessels and is therefore one of the main risk factors for cardiovascular diseases.

Leader of the study Thomas Wingo explains: “It is necessary to find out whether there is a causal relationship.”

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The data can be interpreted in this way, but the results in this regard are mixed. Earlier studies have already shown that cholesterol is a risk factor for a much more common form of dementia in old age. The authors of the largest to date comparative study of Alzheimer's disease also do not recommend eating foods that increase cholesterol.

Especially harmful for this are butter, cheese and pork. On the other hand, legumes such as lentils or chickpeas, nuts or sunflower seeds are believed to lower cholesterol and benefit the brain.