Navigate Select ESC Close

Dementia Rates PLUNGED in Study of 1 Million People

2025-11-06 People & Blogs
73.2k
2.9k
479
Dr Brad Stanfield
Dr Brad Stanfield
336.0k subscribers

Cholesterol, Statins, and Modifiable Dementia Risk Factors

Discover why managing blood cholesterol is now considered a key modifiable risk factor for dementia and learn lifestyle changes that support long-term cognitive resilience.

Short Summary

  • Long-term cholesterol management, especially using medications starting younger, shows potential for significant dementia risk reduction based on genetic mimicry studies.
  • Traditional Randomized Control Trials (RCTs) often fail to capture long-term benefits seen in observational studies due to trial duration limits.
  • Untreated sensory deficits (hearing/vision loss) and midlife depression emerge as major, actionable dementia risk factors ranking highly alongside cholesterol.
  • A key takeaway is that treating depression, sensory loss, and managing lifestyle factors (inactivity, obesity) directly lowers your cognitive risk profile.

This presentation reviews the conflicting data regarding statins and brain health, highlighting the strong evidence supporting cholesterol management for dementia prevention. It then pivots to actionable, non-medication risk reduction strategies identified by recent commissions. Readers gain clarity on research limitations and concrete steps to protect long-term cognitive function.

Unlock all features

FREE: Get instant access to 10 AI summaries, chats, or transcripts per day.

Description

For weekly health research summaries and extra insights, sign up here 👉 https://drstanfield.com/pages/sign-up 💊 Supplements I Take: https://drstanfield.com/pages/my-supplements 💊MicroVitamin+ (Pro) Powder: https://drstanfield.com/products/microvitamin-plus 💊MicroVitamin Standard Capsules: https://drstanfield.com/products/microvitamin Timestamps: 00:00 Concerns About Cholesterol-Lowering and Brain Health 01:22 Evidence of Statins Affecting Brain Health 02:41 Statins and Dementia Risk 04:38 Contradiction Between Observational Studies and Randomised Control Trials 06:13 New Study on Cholesterol-Lowering Medications and Dementia Risk 09:19 Practical Takeaways for Lowering Dementia Risks 13:26 Supplements for Brain Health 📜 Roadmap - how to look young & feel strong: https://drstanfield.com/pages/roadmap ✔️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BradStanfieldMD ✔️ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/bradstanfieldmd Here are the links to the research papers referenced in the video: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6844833/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22269162/ https://translationalneurodegeneration.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40035-018-0110-3 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12885101/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19653027/ https://evidence.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/EVIDoa2400112 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11736423/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430817/ https://www.mdpi.com/2813-2564/4/1/2 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-24153-1 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11830700/ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12341882/ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405650225000449 https://alz-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/alz.70638 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6380691 https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736%2824%2901296-0/abstract https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11103094/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8912287/ https://academic.oup.com/nutritionreviews/advance-article/doi/10.1093/nutrit/nuac064/6671817 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7569385/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3610948/ Thumbnail by James Kelly Video edited by Troy Young Script by John Milliken The links above are affiliate links, so I receive a small commission every time you use them to purchase a product. The content contained in this video, and its accompanying description, is not intended to replace viewers’ relationships with their own medical practitioner. Always speak with your doctor regarding the content of this channel, and especially before using any products, services, or devices discussed on this channel.

Top Comments (10)

@ultimateultra2419 2025-11-07

After taking cholesterol lowering medication (atorvastatin) for 3 years, I started noticing forgetfulness become significant. I started feeling difficulty recalling the names of the people and items. Specially it was higher in the morning. I was taking statin before sleep. My suspicion went towards atorvastatin. So I stopped taking it without informing the doctor. As per my suspicion, I started feeling better after a week. So I complained to the doctor and changed it to pitavastatin. But the forgetfulness and brain fog again became more. I complained to the doctor again and he changed to rasuvastatin. But the results were the same. So I took my own decision and stopped taking statins. I am off statins from last two years. My memory and brain fog improved significantly. But not fully recovered. I will not take statins again.

63 15 replies
@2strive4better 2025-11-07

My summary: I don't recall him saying clearly WHY dementia rates plunged. What he did say was that people born with a gene that acts to reduce LDL, similar to the way a statin does, are less likely to have dementia. So it is a way to think of the LONG TERM protective effect of statin (hard to study in short study). Also said that keeping mind active is a way to reduce dementia, as is correcting hearing problems and vision problems (brain connections atrophy with loss of constant sensory input). Also said that Creatine (5g/day) and TMG supplements (1g/day?) are good for the brain.

40 1 replies
@richardfile4001 2025-11-06

Only a relative risk reduction in an area of total confusion. Diet and exercise are part of the answer.

32 1 replies
@DrBradStanfield 2025-11-06

All 21 studies referenced in the video are linked in the video's description 💊Supplements that Dr Brad takes: https://drstanfield.com/pages/my-supplements 💊MicroVitamin (multivitamin & mineral that I take): https://drstanfield.com/products/microvitamin For extra insights + a free health checklist, sign up here 👉 https://drstanfield.com/pages/sign-up

16 4 replies
@Bashkir097 2025-11-07

Tried a statin - went in to severe depression 3 days in. Found a report of 14 case studies from 2016 of other people who had had the same problem. Quite after 6 weeks and came out of depression a week later. I realize that 14 cases out of the millions on statins suggest this is a rare phenomenon but maybe no one is looking? Whatever, it worked for me as N=1 so whatever. Definitely something going on in my brain, at least.

11 1 replies
@crackerjack6075 2025-11-30

Ok, continue to "do the trials and research"... fine But when big pharma doesn't get the answer they want, they can't just shove the whole study in their drawer. I moved and changed primary care doctors. They knew I wasn't fasting, but sent me downstairs for the lipid panel blood draw. I'd just come to the appointment from having lunch with friends... 5 Guys 2 cheese burgers 55min before the draw. Yep, their advise was to put me on a statin. I next went to a new Cardiologist who just looked briefly at my cholesterol and said they don't need me to start the statin. They understood my goals are to 1) drop weight to get off my bad knee so I can be more successful comfortably walk and exercise, 2) seriously attack my insulin resistance (so the weight loss is achieved) and lower bodily inflammation. Cardiologist said those 2 are the grand-slam for me and that Statins DO NOT HELP with me achieve either of those goals. Matter-of-fact, there is solid evidence statins are detrimental to addressing the insulin management. Don't let them dictate your treatment, starting statins, just so their clinic achieves a prescription quota and they get the $$ from the Pharma corruption(s)

11
@abrin5508 2025-11-15

Always think how humans are designed to live through history - exercise, time outdoors, mapping where you are outside, dealing with uneven terrain, thinking through problems, interacting or working with others, eating naturally, not eating 6 times a day etc etc

6 1 replies
@gpwil3847 2025-11-07

This is great information I have been on lipitor for years, exercised throughout my military career and I still do daily at 68 and do try to eat low fat. I had heard Lipitor increased risk, it is a relief to know it actually helps. I also monitor my blood sugar and last lab had A1C in the 5 range👍 Thanks Dr Stanfield. Also taking zetia…

5
@JBPeng2025 2025-11-07

It is very important to know who funded each study and also any other sources of Conflict o interest.

2
@ivanodriscoll5874 2025-11-09

Now that's what I call a good video. Thank you.

0

Unlock the Data Inside
Turn Videos into Knowledge

  • Get FREE 10/day: transcripts, summaries, chats
  • Chat with videos, export text & PDF
  • $1 free API credit for RAG, chatbots & research

Free forever plan • All features unlocked

App screenshot