A new study has found that high levels of HDL cholesterol, often called “good cholesterol,” might not be as helpful as we once thought—at least not for memory health in older women.
The research, done by scientists at the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, shows that in postmenopausal women, higher levels of HDL-C may be linked to a greater risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
This finding may sound surprising because HDL cholesterol is usually seen as something good for the heart. But researchers are now learning that it’s not just about how much HDL is in the body—it’s also about how well it works.
The team studied blood samples from over 500 women who took part in a long-term health study called SWAN (Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation). These women were tracked from the year 2000 to 2016. During that time, researchers tested their memory and thinking skills regularly.
What they found was that as women aged, they had more large HDL particles in their blood. However, these bigger particles didn’t work as well as smaller ones.
In fact, women who had more of the small HDL particles—especially those filled with a molecule called phospholipids—were more likely to keep their memory sharp as they got older. Phospholipids are important for keeping brain cells healthy.
The lead scientist, Dr. Samar R. El Khoudary, said this is a big deal because memory loss is one of the earliest signs of Alzheimer’s disease. This study shows that the quality of HDL, not just the amount, matters for brain health, especially for women going through menopause.
There’s some good news, though. Dr. El Khoudary’s earlier research found that certain healthy lifestyle choices can improve the quality of HDL. These include things like staying active, eating healthy foods, keeping a healthy weight, and not smoking. These steps are part of the American Heart Association’s “Life’s Essential 8” guidelines.
So, even if a person has high levels of HDL cholesterol, following these healthy habits may help make the HDL particles more useful for the body—and the brain. Dr. El Khoudary says it’s best to start these habits in your 40s, before major changes happen in the body due to aging.
The study’s first author, Dr. Meiyuzhen Qi, worked with researchers from other well-known schools like the University of Pennsylvania, UCLA, Rush University, and the University of Michigan. Together, they are building a clearer picture of how menopause, cholesterol, and brain health are connected.
This study adds to growing research showing that the kind of cholesterol you have—and how it functions—can affect your memory and thinking as you age. For women especially, it’s important to take steps to protect brain health early.
Making smart lifestyle choices doesn’t just help the heart. It can also protect the brain and possibly reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
If you care about Alzheimer’s disease, please read studies about the protective power of dietary antioxidants against Alzheimer’s, and eating habits linked to higher Alzheimer’s risk.
For more health information, please see recent studies that oral cannabis extract may help reduce Alzheimer’s symptoms, and Vitamin E may help prevent Parkinson’s disease.
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