According to a new study published in Alzheimer′s and Dementia, high cholesterol and blood sugar in the 30s were indicative of increased risk for Alzheimer′s disease later in life.

The study stated that people aged 35 to 50 years, who had high levels of triglycerides and lower levels of "good cholesterol" called high-density lipoprotein were more prone to develop Alzheimer′s disease later in life. An increase of 15 mg/dL in triglycerides was tied to an approximate 5% surge in Alzheimer′s disease risk. This was not observed among the older population as they tend to be treated for cholesterol more aggressively. But, at a younger age, high triglycerides might stimulate a series of changes in the normal metabolic events, which initiate pathways that cause Alzheimer′s disease.

Also, higher blood sugar levels increased the risk for Alzheimer′s disease among people aged 51 to 60 years. For every 15 points increase in blood sugar, the risk of developing Alzheimer′s increases by 14.5% later in life. 

The study further stated that an increase of 15 mg/dL in the high-density lipoprotein could reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer′s risk by 15.4% among people aged 35 to 50 years and an increase in HDL resulted in a risk reduction of 17.9% among people aged 51 to 60 years. (CNN,March 23, 2022)