Does Lowering Cholesterol Cause Dementia?

Do low blood cholesterol levels damage the brain and cause memory loss?

Here are the links to the research papers referenced in the video:

The links above are affiliate links, so I receive a small commission every time you use them to purchase a product. The content contained in this video, and its accompanying description, is not intended to replace viewers’ relationships with their own medical practitioner. Always speak with your doctor regarding the content of this channel, and especially before using any products, services, or devices discussed on this channel.

[DrBradStanfield]

What do you think about this new study on cholesterol and cognitive performance?

[thomashunter]

Our body makes cholesterol and maintains it at a level for a reason. Cholesterol is not bad.

[lazarus]

I love your videos straight to the point. No 5 minutes long intros.

[THX..]

I don't don't know what studies say, all I know is my brother had a fantastic memory. Any place he ever went he could recall every detail of the trip. In his shop he knew where every tool was he could remember in detail every job he did for his customers. Then he went on Statins and his memory went away and he had other cognitive issues. He had some serious health issues so he really needed to be on the drugs, personally I would be very resistant to taking them myself. I would have to be convinced they were absolutely necessary.

[Tothefloor]

Whenever I see a doctor or anyone selling a product, I always take their words with a grain of salt.

[EMedNation]

Physician here. Sir your YouTube videos are some of the finest on the internet. Keep up the great work.

[mhunt]

This wouldn’t surprise me. I have been dismissed from a few doctors for refusing statins. My mom was left crippled after taking them but the doctors don’t understand why I won’t take them — and that was before I studied them. I have normal levels but doctors push them in me. Nuts!!

[jerryjohnson]

I found out I had slightly high cholesterol about 10 years ago. My doctor said to lower saturated fat like red meat. When I went back the numbers were still high. I switched doctors and he told me to watch me lower my carbs and that did the trick. I have been able to avoid statins and I am 62. If I get lazy about the carbs the numbers creep back up. I went back to eating red meat at least 2-3 times per week. This may not work for others but it works for me.

[ericoshea]

Due to a family history of ASCVD, I started taking 20 mg of avortastatin two years ago, and my LDL-C went from 100 to 60 and ApoB from 99 to 70. Added 10mg of Ezetimibe 6 months ago as I want my numbers to be in the 40s. Can’t wait for my next Lipid panel. Absolutely no side effects- I do CrossFit and powerlifting. Also went full Mediterranean a few months with almost no animal protein. I feel like a million bucks. Awesome update on this important treatment. Thanks!

[tomgoff]

It might be worth adding that there is some evidence that Alzheimer's Disease itself may cause plasma cholesterol levels to decline. The Honolulu-Asia Aging Study reported in 2007 for example:
"Results Cholesterol levels in men with dementia and, in particular, those with Alzheimer disease had declined at least 15 years before the diagnosis and remained lower than cholesterol levels in men without dementia throughout that period. The difference in slopes was robust to adjustment for potential confounding factors, including vascular risk factors, weight change, alcohol intake, and use of lipid-lowering agents.

Conclusion A decline in serum total cholesterol levels may be associated with early stages in the development of dementia."

[mindscapetv]

I find your content the most balanced and evidence based. Can't wait for you rapamycin study to get funded and to learn more about it! Good luck!

[simonwiltshire]

My reading of studies now is 1. Headline, 2. Conflicts of interest. I pay little attention to studies funded by the manufacturer or those paid by them.

[Zekian]

Psyllium husk can also help to reduce blood cholesterol levels, by reducing the reuptake of chlosterol in bile excreted from the liver in to the gut.

[Rendereason]

The issue is not the cholesterol. Dementia can be somewhat related to deficiency in the performance of myelin. High cholesterol or low cholesterol is not causative of myelin degeneration. However, without cholesterol, myelin cannot regenerate, aggravating dementia and cognitive power. To recover, eliminating statins is key, as you need cholesterol to regenerate damaged tissues. Myelin is mostly lipids, including cholesterol.

[bsutton]

I have a genetic profile that baselines my total cholesterol above 350 untreated. Year ago, I had a doctor that was determined to get my total cholesterol below a 200 and LDL below 100. I took Simvastatin for a couple of years at 40 mg/day with a total cholesterol level typically around 250 +/- but then switched to Rosuvastatin 5 mg for the same effect. To hit my doctor's targets, he put me on 20 mg of Rosuvastatin which achieved his goal where my total cholesterol went down to about 185 but left me with bad memory problems. At the time, I was at the peak in my career and all of a sudden started having "senior moments" while giving presentation to executive teams while in my mid-30's. This tweaking by my doctor, hampered my career at that time and although I have told numerous practices about the instance, I guarantee no one took the time to record my adverse reactions in the documented findings mentioned in the video. I finally ran across a cardiologist that specializes in lipids and he placed me on a combo of 10 mg Rosuvastatin and 10 mg Ezetimibe which is a good compromise and keeps my total number in the 220's and 230's but without the severe brain fog.

[sidetrack]

Is this really a "bomb shell" study when there is such an obvious conflict of interest... "TIMI Study Group in which I work has received research support through the Brigham and Women's Hospital from Merck, Astra-Zeneca, and Pfizer, each of which manufactures and sells a statin." [Financial declaration to JAMA]

[foggymedia]

Statins have already effected your brain and personality 🤣

[darkpatches]

I forgot that I was taking a statin. Probably a coincidence.

[peterholt]

My understanding is that LDLs cannot cross the blood brain barrier. The Cholesterol hungry brain nerve cells have their cholesterol made by Glial cells. But, it is also my understanding that statins can affect the Glial cells in some people reducing their cholesterol production and their cognitive performance. Big number averages, mask out that there is an effect on certain people. One size fits all is a bad practice for the huge variability in people. I know you love a Meta analysis, but I'm not sure it's always the gold standard of information.

[just.thinking]

Could you show the actual proven benefits of lowering cholesterol? I am not an expert at statistical analysis, but the actual effects are in fractions of percents. The side effects seem to far outweigh the statistical benefits. I’ve even seen studies showing high cholesterol when you are older providing longevity gains.