Now there’s even more reason to keep a high level of good cholesterol, also known as HDL.

A recent study suggests that memory loss in midlife may be linked to low levels of HDL. And that memory loss may increase your risk of developing dementia.

Researchers in the British Whitehall II study observed almost 3700 people between the ages of 55 and 61.

The scientists defined high HDL as at least 60 mg/dL and low HDL as less than 40mg/dL. Cholesterol levels from blood samples were measured after 8-hour fasts or 4 hours or more after light breakfasts.

Then the study participants were given simple, verbal memory tests.

Here’s What The Researchers Concluded…

1. At 55 years old, study members with low HDL had a 27% higher risk of memory loss as compared to participants with high HDL…

2. At 60 years old, study members with low HDL showed a 53% higher risk of memory loss as compared to those with high HDL…

3. Over a 5-year period, participants with decreasing HDL had a 61% higher risk of memory loss as compared to the high HDL group…

4. There was no significant difference in memory loss between men and women when cholesterol was measured. So these results apply for both sexes…

5. The use of statin drugs to alter cholesterol levels had no effect on memory loss…

6. There was no link between total cholesterol or triglycerides and memory loss…

Why this memory loss occurs with lower HDL levels is not clear. But the researchers thought that HDL cholesterol might stop the formation of beta-amyloid, which is part of the plaque found in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients.

So What Should You Do?…

You and your doctor may want to check your level of HDL cholesterol to make sure it’s high enough in addition to watching your LDL (the “bad” cholesterol) level to make sure it’s low enough.

To increase HDL and reduce LDL, the American Heart Association currently recommends regular exercise, the elimination of trans fats, the reduction of all dietary fat (particularly saturated fats), and the consumption of monounsaturated fats such as peanut, canola and olive oils.

Of course, you should check with your doctor before altering your diet. But if these study results are true, keeping your HDL cholesterol level high could reduce your risk of developing dementia as you get older.