Avoid Alzheimer's with good cholesterol

Boosting your levels of good cholesterol might help protect you from Alzheimer's disease, according to a landmark study of older Australians.

Dementia researchers in Perth have found that people with higher levels of the so-called good cholesterol, HDL, tend to have lower levels of a small protein strongly linked to Alzheimer's disease.

The finding, presented at an international neuroscience conference in Melbourne, suggests that raising HDL levels - most effective through exercise, and consuming red wine and dark chocolate - may help protect against dementia.

It is not understood what causes Alzheimer's but research suggests that genetics, environment and lifestyle factors come together to trigger oxidative stress and build up of a protein called beta amyloid, and, ultimately, death of brain cells.
...more