Scientists are conducting research on exactly how lowering your cholesterol intake can lead to cognitive change. One study conducted on data from the Veteran's Administration summarized the majority opinion on the negative implications of high cholesterol for brain health by saying that, "in addition to clogging arteries, and possibly leading to vascular changes in the brain, cholesterol may promote the clumping of a protein called beta-amyloid, which is believed to damage the brain in Alzheimer's disease patients." While some recent studies have appeared to cast doubt on the cause of cognitive change that once was attributed to high cholesterol, the consensus still seems to be that lowering your cholesterol level is quite likely to contribute to helping you think more clearly and faster.
Basics
Too much cholesterol in your blood can clog your arteries, which can impede the flow of blood to your brain. High cholesterol levels have also been linked to cognitive impairment, which is the precursor to Alzheimer's disease. You can try to lower your cholesterol level by eating more healthfully and exercising more, according to WomensHealth.gov. In addition, you can lower your cholesterol by taking a prescription medication.
Research
Researchers at the San Francisco Veteran's Association Medical Center found that higher cholesterol levels increase the risk of cognitive impairment. The study was carried out in 2002 on elderly women women who had been taking hormone replacement therapy. The researchers found that women who were using cholesterol-lowering drugs, called statins, scored higher on "tests of basic cognitive skills, such as memory, attention, and language." The study also found that women whose cholesterol levels decreased over the study's four-year term were less likely to suffer from cognitive impairment.
Dissenting Research
In late 2010, a small study of elderly Swedish women published in the journal Neurology, found that women whose levels of cholesterol declined from middle to older age were actually 2-1/2 times more likely to develop dementia than those whose cholesterol levels stayed the same or increased during this time period. The researchers noted that the study highlighted the importance of taking a "life-trajectory" view of cholesterol. Rather than demonstrating that cholesterol doesn't matter to cerebral function, that the study's findings only illustrated that "important risk factors can change over the course of a person's life span." Researchers noted that it was "unclear why a decline in cholesterol levels in old age was linked to a higher risk of dementia, but said it might be an early part of the disease process."
Related Factors
According to Alzheimer's.org, you need to recognize that just as your diet can be the source of possible risk factors for dementia -- such as cholesterol -- diet can also play a role in delivering the balance of nutrients, including protein and sugar, that your brain needs to function well. In addition to diet, your lifestyle can also help you keep your mind sharp: physical and mental activity and social interaction are the best complement to a brain-healthful diet, according to Alzheimer's.org.
Clarification
Cholesterol comes in two types. HDL cholesterol is known as good cholesterol and it may help protect brain cells, according to Alzheimers.org. To take in these healthful fats, cook more often with olive oil. To reduce your intake of saturated fats, try baking or grilling food rather than frying.
