Melbourne: Fat found in butter, eggs and red meat (such as beef) may reduce the risk of dementia, one study suggests.
In a study conducted at Monash University in Australia, data was studied on more than 86,000 people aged 65 and over from the United Kingdom, the United States and Australia.
No one had dementia at the start of the study, but after an average of 12.5 years, 2,778 people were diagnosed with the disease.
The study found that older adults with higher blood triglyceride levels were 18 percent less likely to develop this deadly condition.
Higher triglyceride levels may be a reflection of better health and lifestyle that may protect against dementia, according to Dr Zhen Zhu from the university.
They said the research results suggest that triglyceride levels may be effective in predicting the risk of dementia and decline in mental performance in older adults.
Alzheimer’s is the most common form of the condition and is thought to be caused by the accumulation of proteins such as tau and amyloid in the brain.
There is currently no cure for the disease, although three drugs are currently being tested that may reduce its severity. That’s why experts say that the best way to fight the disease right now is to improve your lifestyle.
Triglyceride is a fat that is found in foods and is also made by the liver. This fat circulates throughout the body through the blood and is stored as energy or as body fat.
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