Higher Triglyceride Levels May Link to Lower Dementia Risk

Updated June 27,‍ 2025

New research indicates that older adults with elevated triglyceride levels, a common type of fat in the blood,⁢ might face a reduced risk‍ of developing dementia and experience slower cognitive decline. The findings, while establishing a ⁢correlation, do not definitively prove that higher triglycerides prevent dementia.

Triglycerides, fatty acids ‍constituting ⁢up to 95% of dietary fats, serve as a crucial energy source for ‍the brain. A study published ‍in Neurology explored the‍ potential link between triglyceride levels and‍ cognitive health.

Zhen Zhou, PhD, of Monash University in⁤ Melbourne, Australia, and study ‍author, suggested ⁣that higher triglyceride levels could reflect ⁣healthier⁣ lifestyles protective⁣ against dementia. Zhou added, “Our ⁤findings suggest that triglyceride ⁢levels may serve as ⁣a ⁣useful predictor for dementia risk and‍ cognitive decline in older populations.” The research highlights the potential role of triglycerides in brain health and dementia⁢ prevention.

Researchers analyzed data from 18,294 individuals, averaging 75 years old, without prior diagnoses of Alzheimer’s or dementia. Participants were monitored ⁣for six years,during which 823 developed dementia.

The team ⁣tracked participants’ total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL (low-density lipoprotein),⁤ and ⁣HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol levels annually. Participants were then divided into four groups based on fasting triglyceride levels. The average triglyceride level was‍ 106 milligrams per ⁢deciliter (mg/dL). A healthy level for adults is typically below 150 mg/dL.

after accounting⁢ for factors like education and cholesterol-lowering treatments, the study revealed that each doubling of triglyceride levels correlated with an 18% decrease in dementia risk. Specifically, ⁤compared to‍ the group with the lowest triglyceride levels (below‍ 62 mg/dL), the group with levels⁤ between 63 and 106 mg/dL showed a 15% lower risk. The ⁣group with levels between 107 and 186 mg/dL had ⁤a 24% lower ‍risk, and the group with levels of 187 mg/dL⁣ or higher had a 36% lower ⁣risk.

Of the 1,416 individuals with the lowest triglyceride levels, 6% developed dementia. In contrast, dementia developed in 5% of the second group (out of ⁣7,449 people), 4% of the third group ⁢(out of 7,312 people), ⁢and 3% of the highest triglyceride group (out of 2,117 people).

The ⁣findings ‍were reinforced by data‍ from 68,200 older adults in the U.K.,‍ where ⁢2,778 developed dementia over 12 years. This data showed a consistent 17% reduction in dementia risk for every doubling of triglyceride levels.

Higher triglyceride levels also correlated with a slower decline in overall cognitive function, encompassing tests of global function, psychomotor speed, language, executive function, and memory.

⁢ ‍”Future studies⁢ are needed to investigate whether specific components within triglycerides may promote better cognitive function, with the hope of developing new preventive strategies,” Zhou said.

What’s next

Further research is‍ needed to pinpoint specific components within triglycerides that might enhance cognitive function, potentially leading to new dementia prevention strategies.The current study focused solely on individuals aged 65 and older without initial cognitive issues, limiting the generalizability of the findings to⁣ other populations.