subject: Memory And The Cholesterol Connection [print this page] Memory And The Cholesterol Connection Memory And The Cholesterol Connection
Recent studies have shown that people with high levels of LDL or bad cholesterol have a higher risk of cognitive decline in advanced age.
Such individuals also have a higher risk of developing debilitating conditions like Alzheimer's disease. Cognitive decline has a negative impact on a person's ability to retain and recall information and also makes learning much more difficult.
Individuals with high cholesterol levels are usually unaware of their condition because high LDL levels in the bloodstream usually do not produce any discomfort.
People who have never consulted with their physicians regarding their cholesterol level usually find out too late that their LDL levels have spiraled. High cholesterol levels, as you may already know, also predispose a person to stroke and heart attacks.
It is possible to reverse high cholesterol by modifying one's diet and by engaging in light to moderate exercise (at least thirty minutes every day). In some cases, a person may be prescribed statins.
There is no need to avoid taking medication for cholesterol because statins have been proven to lower the risk for Alzheimer's disease. So you are actually shooting two birds with one stone by following your doctor's recommendation. Here are some more ways to take charge of high cholesterol levels:
The average cholesterol requirement of adults is only 300 milligrams per day. To maintain low LDL levels, it is recommended that you lookclosely at the nutritional labels of commercially sold food items. The lower your cholesterol intake per day, the better.
The body can dispose of excess cholesterol through the digestive tract it only needs one thing to accomplish this: dietary fiber. If you cannot get enough fiber from your daily diet, consider investing in fiber supplements to help improve your digestion, and at the same time, help your body get rid of excess cholesterol.
Omega-3 fatty acids help combat the negative effects of high cholesterol in the body. Fish is a natural source of omega-3. To get enoughomega-3, consider replacing most of the meat in your diet with cold-water fishes.
Smoking causes bodily inflammation and magnifies the deleterious effects of high cholesterol. Reduce your cigarette consumption or quit the habit altogether.
There are two types of cholesterol in the body high-density lipoproteins and low-density lipoproteins. The former is classified as "good cholesterol" while the latter is the "bad cholesterol" that is often the target of anti-cholesterol medication like statins.
If you dislike the idea of taking statins in the future, you have to start exercising more now because adequate physical activity actually reduces the amount of low-density lipoproteins in the body and maintains the level of good cholesterol.
Excessive alcohol intake is bad for both the heart and your memory. If you have the habit of consuming more than two glasses of liquor every night, you are not helping improve your cholesterol profile.
Reduce your intake and switch to red wine. Red wine is full of the super-antioxidant resveratrol, which has been noted for its ability to reduce bad cholesterol.
