Lack of 'Good' HDL Cholesterol Linked to Memory Loss

Memory Loss

I have experienced measurable memory loss at age 63 after several years on a statin for moderately high cholesterol. I stopped taking the statin about a year ago, and after briefly trying another cholesterol medication, I now take none. I cannot prove the statin is to blame, but I believe that it is. I am not a doctor, but I have a mensa level IQ and I am not prone to make rash judgments about anything.

My ability to make rapid intelligent decisions has also been affected - I find myself laboring over decisions that a few years ago would have been clear in a split second. I believe these are tied together.

My mother had extremely high cholesterol readings and lived to 86, dying of non-related cancers. I agree that build up in the arteries cannot be good, but see no simplistic cure, and strongly suspect that the widely promoted cures may be worse than the disease.

Despite the fact that I remain slightly overweight, and prone to a marginal diet, I believe the memory loss has slowed and perhaps even slightly corrected since leaving the medications. It is anecdotal - I cannot prove it. But I believe it to be true for me.

So as for me, I strongly believe that resorting to statin drugs for cholesterol is more risky than many believe, and that a moderate amount of diet and weight control can lower the cholesterol to tolerable levels for most people without introducing the potential for loss of cognitive function and memory loss. Just an uneducated opinion.

HDL & comments

The point raised by Michael of FL regarding the power of big pharma companies need to be carefully taken up/investigated by the FDA USA and try to find out the Truth. If there are laws to prevent Restrictive Trade Practices and several companies have been penalised by the courts, then how come there is no awareness on part of general public and consumer protection organisations to come to the rescue of poor patients. They are penalised both with non-or lower improvement in health condition and loss of money. It appears from the comments that they are not getting Value for Money.

Sharad Kapadia

Surat, India

Other causes of memory loss

I have almost no protective HDL, and I have memory and concentration problems at age 65 that started almost 20 years ago. Very interested in this subject -have taken statins the whole time. BUT, other factors can be low testosterone for men (I have that too). I advise anyone at risk to have their endrocrine system checked.

Thrombosis and plaques

The subject in the cardiovasscular systems may be alleviated and/or eliminated by intaking marine plants and alkaline such as coke, nicotine, morphine etc., what have you....

If you don't believe, please take a look see carefully dissolving clots with those agents mingled in it for alleviating and removing the subject.. Doctors tend to introduce acid agents rather than alkaloid ones; however, as proved in the pilot experiment, it would surely get you good results.

Of course there may be some dysfunctions!

lack of good HDL

Studies are showing that when MDs give statins to lower LDL to better the LDL/HDL fraction, patients are showing memory losses from the statins. I am glad you are emphazing the diet and exercise route rather than the statin route as statins are killing and dementing our elderly. As usual the European Doc are on to this problem and have better niacin products.

Doctors are not listening to the complaints of memory loss from the elderly and from us, their children who are witnessing this debacle. Sadly the big Pharma have

the American Docs in their grasp, with the free trips, and such little things as free dinners, pens and coffee cups. Sold out over a free pen, or free post it notes.>>>>>>>>