Much of the recent news about dementia prevention has been discouraging (see HealthyWoman from Bottom Line, October 24, 2010. But a recent large-scale, long-term study lends support to one risk-reduction strategy over which we do have significant control—cholesterol levels.

What this study found: Compared to people with normal cholesterol levels, those who had borderline-high cholesterol (200 mg/dL to 239 mg/dL) at age 40 to 45 were 52% more likely to develop dementia within 40 years. For those who had high cholesterol (240 mg/dL or above) at midlife, dementia risk was elevated 66%.

Lesson: What’s good for the heart is good for the brain—so no matter what your age, if you have high cholesterol, talk to your doctor about cholesterol-reducing strategies, such as dietary changes, exercise and, if necessary, medication.