Midlife crisis?
Studies show that vegetarians have a lower risk of dementia, new research may explain why. This new study from the US found that a high cholesterol level in midlife was associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Even borderline cholesterol levels of 5.2 in midlife raised the risk of late-life dementia by 50 per cent. Two out of three adults in the UK have a cholesterol level of five or above. However, the good news is you can lower your cholesterol by going veggie.
Solomon et al., 2009. Midlife serum cholesterol and increased risk of Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia three decades later. Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders. 28 (1) 75-80.
About the author
Dr. Justine Butler
Justine joined Viva! in 2005 after graduating from Bristol University with a PhD in molecular biology. After working as a campaigner, then researcher and writer, she is now Viva!’s head of research and her work focuses on animals, the environment and health. Justine’s scientific training helps her research and write both in-depth scientific reports, such as White Lies and the Meat Report, as well as easy-to-read factsheets and myth-busting articles for consumer magazines and updates on the latest research. Justine also recently wrote the Vegan for the Planet guide for Viva!’s Vegan Now campaign.
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