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A FACILITY/WELLNESS CENTER
There are two different types of cholesterol that we typically concern ourselves with. The first type is called the "bad cholesterol" or LDL. The second is called the "good cholesterol" or HDL. Ideally, we want to decrease the LDL and increase the HDL in order to maintain optimum health into our later years. A new study has revealed that HDL may be even more important than previously thought because low HDL levels have been linked with memory loss.
Researchers found that low levels of HDL was strongly linked with memory problems in the mid-to-late years of life. Memory problems are the biggest sign that dementia is occurring or is going to occur. This means that there could be some link between low levels of "good cholesterol" and the development of dementia although further studies would be necessary to be able to say this for sure.
In the meantime, aging adults are strongly encouraged to reduce memory problems by keeping their HDL levels in a healthy range. At the same time, they are continued to be encouraged to reduce LDL levels because an excess of "bad cholesterol" remains a health concern. In fact, New York restaurants have just banned the use of artificial trans fats when cooking in order to help people reduce their bad cholesterol intake.
Question of the Day: How do we keep LDL low but HDL high in order to maintain optimum health as we age?
