CURE MAGA JAN26 DOUBLE PG-LINKS - Flipbook - Page 19
Why are there concerns about statins?
Good cholesterol is important for a
healthy brain. It maintains a stable
environment and helps our brain cells to
communicate properly. And if we have
too little of it, then our brain cells can
become damaged. In fact, low levels
of good cholesterol may be linked to a
higher risk of diseases like Alzheimer’s.
‘Good’ cholesterol
Blood vessel
‘Bad’ cholesterol
Yet some people are worried that taking
statins reduces the amount of good HDL cholesterol, too. But rest assured,
this isn’t what statins do. They only target the bad LDL cholesterol.
Another concern is that a small number of people report memory lapses when
taking statins. But it’s important to understand that these lapses are not
dementia, and not related to the diseases that cause it.
Instead, they are rare, short term side effects which are usually mild. And they
go away if the medicine is changed or stopped.
What does the research say?
Evidence suggests that statins do not increase dementia risk.
In fact, several large studies suggest statins may actually help protect the
brain. Which could be because they keep blood vessels healthy and reduce
inflammation – both important for brain health, as well as heart health.
The bottom line
y Statins do not cause dementia.
y They lower harmful cholesterol and protect against heart disease and stroke.
y Protecting your heart is also one of the best ways to protect your brain.
y If you’ve been prescribed statins, keep taking them unless your doctor
advises otherwise.
If you have questions about dementia, brain health or how to lower your risk
of dementia, our Dementia Research Infoline is here to help. Call us on
0300 111 5 111 (Mon–Fri, 9–5) or email infoline@alzheimersresearchuk.org
You can also talk to your GP if you’re worried about your cholesterol levels.
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