A newly published study indicates that elderly individuals with increased levels of triglycerides may have a lower likelihood of developing dementia and may undergo cognitive decline at a slower pace than those with diminished levels. The research, which included 18,294 participants, has gained additional support from a separate dataset in the U.K. Nevertheless, the applicability of the results may be limited, considering the study only encompassed individuals 65 years or older who initially showed no signs of cognitive impairment.
Elevated triglyceride levels in the bloodstream, a prevalent form of blood lipid, appear to correlate with a reduced incidence of dementia and a slower progression of cognitive deterioration, as per recent findings. The study, which has been published in the journal Neurology of the American Academy of Neurology, identified a correlation, but it does not prove that high triglyceride levels actually prevent dementia.
Understanding Triglycerides
Triglycerides are a type of fatty acid and constitute the most abundant form of fat found in the bloodstream. They represent up to 95% of the fats consumed in the diet, serving as the primary energy source for the brain.
“Triglyceride levels might reflect an individual’s overall health and lifestyle choices that could guard against dementia,” remarked the study’s author Zhen Zhou, PhD, from Monash University in Melbourne, Australia. “Our research suggests triglyceride measurements could potentially be a helpful marker for assessing the risk of dementia and cognitive decline among the elderly.”
Research Methodology and Findings
The research utilized healthcare records to select a group of 18,294 individuals with an average age of 75, all free from prior Alzheimer’s disease or dementia diagnoses.
Over a median follow-up period of six years, 823 participants were diagnosed with dementia.
The study annually assessed the participants for total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL).
Subsequently, the research divided the participants into quartiles based on their fasting triglyceride levels. The average triglycerides concentration was 106 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), with normal levels for adults considered below 150 mg/dL.
When accounting for different factors that might influence dementia risk, such as education and cholesterol-lowering treatments, the study observed that each doubling of triglyceride levels was associated with a 18% decrease in dementia risk.
The group with the lowest level of triglycerides had readings below 62 mg/dL. In comparison to this baseline group, the second quartile, with levels between 63 and 106 mg/dL, saw a 15% lower risk of dementia. The third quartile, with levels between 107 and 186 mg/dL, had a 24% lower risk, and the highest quartile, with levels of 187 mg/dL and above, had a 36% lower risk of developing dementia.
Within the lowest triglyceride quartile of 1,416 people, 82 individuals, or 6%, developed dementia. In the second quartile of 7,449 people, 358 individuals, or 5%, were diagnosed with dementia. In the third quartile of 7,312 participants, 310, or 4%, experienced dementia, and in the fourth quartile of 2,117 individuals, 73, or 3%, were diagnosed with the condition.
Validation of these outcomes came from a different dataset of 68,200 elderly U.K. residents. Among these, dementia developed in 2,778 subjects over an average period of 12 years, reflecting a consistent 17% reduction in dementia risk with every doubling of triglyceride levels.
Potential Implications and Directions for Future Research
The study also uncovered that higher triglycerides correlated with a more gradual decline in composite cognition — an aggregate of tests evaluating global function, psychomotor speed, language and executive function, and memory over time.
“Further research is required to explore whether specific components within triglycerides might promote improved cognitive function, with the ultimate goal of identifying new preventative measures,” mentioned Zhou.
A study limitation was the exclusive focus on participants aged 65 and older without initial cognitive problems, limiting the broader applicability of the findings.
Reference: “Association Between Triglycerides and Risk of Dementia in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Prospective Cohort Study” by Zhen Zhou et al., 24 October 2023, Neurology.
DOI: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000207923
The study received support from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and the HCF Research Foundation.
Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about triglycerides-dementia link
What is the recent discovery about triglycerides and dementia risk?
A recent study has found that higher levels of triglycerides in the blood may be associated with a reduced risk of developing dementia in the elderly. This was observed in a cohort study involving 18,294 participants, with the findings suggesting that those with elevated triglyceride levels experienced cognitive decline at a slower rate compared to those with lower levels.
How do triglycerides relate to cognitive health?
Triglycerides are the most common type of fat in the blood and are a major energy source for the brain. The study suggests that higher triglyceride levels could reflect better overall health and lifestyle, which might protect against dementia and cognitive decline.
What does the study say about triglycerides as a predictor for dementia?
The study by Zhen Zhou, PhD, and colleagues suggests that measuring triglyceride levels could potentially serve as a useful indicator for assessing the risk of dementia and cognitive decline in older populations.
Can we say that high triglyceride levels prevent dementia?
No, while the study found a link between higher triglyceride levels and lower incidence of dementia, it does not establish a causal relationship. It merely observes that higher levels might be associated with a lower risk of developing the condition.
What methodology did the researchers use in this study?
The researchers analyzed healthcare data of individuals aged 75 on average, tracking their development of dementia over a period of six years. They measured cholesterol, triglycerides, and other lipids annually, adjusting for variables such as education and cholesterol-lowering treatments.
How significant is the link between triglyceride levels and dementia risk?
The study found that each doubling of triglyceride levels was linked to an 18% lower risk of developing dementia. Moreover, the findings were consistent in a separate U.K. dataset, showing a 17% decreased risk with every doubling of triglycerides.
What are the future research directions based on this study?
Further studies are needed to determine whether specific components within triglycerides contribute to better cognitive function and to explore the potential for developing new preventive strategies against dementia.
What are the limitations of the study?
One limitation of the study is that it only included individuals aged 65 and above who did not initially present cognitive issues, meaning the results may not be applicable to younger populations or those already experiencing cognitive decline.
More about triglycerides-dementia link
- Understanding the Triglycerides-Dementia Study
- Exploring the Connection Between Blood Lipids and Dementia
- The Role of Fatty Acids in Brain Health
- Elderly Cognitive Health and Triglycerides Research
- Monash University Research on Triglycerides and Dementia
- Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
- HCF Research Foundation
5 comments
wow thats some news never thought triglycerides and brain health had anything to do with each other, gotta read more about this
honestly the medical community keeps going back and forth one day something’s bad for you the next it’s not, who do we believe anymore…
not sure if i got it right so eating more fat is good now? my doc always says to watch my cholesterol confused about this
its intresting but without a clear cause-effect relationship i’m skeptical bout changing my diet, need more research before jumping on the high-fat bandwagon
study looks solid but it’s just for old people what about us younger folks? do we need to worry bout triglycerides too