MikeDamone
Well-known poster
“Lowering cholesterol will cause Alzheimer’s”There is no solid evidence that lowering LDL cholesterol (the “bad” cholesterol) causes Alzheimer’s disease.
In fact:
- High mid-life LDL is associated with higher dementia risk later
- Vascular disease (strokes, small vessel disease) increases cognitive decline risk
- Many large statin trials show no increase in Alzheimer’s rates
Some observational studies decades ago suggested low cholesterol was associated with dementia — but that likely reflected reverse causation (early brain disease lowering cholesterol levels), not that low cholesterol caused it.
“Alzheimer’s is made up — it’s really type 3 diabetes”“Type 3 diabetes” is not an official medical diagnosis.
What this refers to:
Researchers have observed insulin resistance in the brain in Alzheimer’s patients. So some scientists loosely use the phrase “type 3 diabetes” as a research concept.
But:
- Alzheimer’s is very real.
- It has distinct pathological markers (amyloid plaques, tau tangles).
- It is not just diabetes of the brain.
- Major neurology and endocrine societies do not classify it as “type 3 diabetes.”
It’s a metaphor used in some research discussions — not a clinical diagnosis.
“Don’t take statins”This is where the post becomes potentially harmful.
Statins:
- Lower LDL cholesterol
- Reduce heart attack risk
- Reduce stroke risk
- Reduce cardiovascular mortality
For someone with elevated cardiovascular risk (like a 60-year-old male, for example), statins often reduce major event risk meaningfully.
Large randomized controlled trials (the gold standard) have not shown statins cause Alzheimer’s.
Some data even suggest statins may:
- Reduce vascular dementia risk
- Possibly lower overall dementia risk (though evidence is mixed)
Why This Narrative SpreadsIt plays into:
- Distrust of doctors
- Fear of pharmaceuticals
- Simple explanations for complex diseases
Alzheimer’s is multifactorial:
- Genetics (APOE4)
- Age
- Vascular health
- Metabolic health
- Inflammation
- Lifestyle
It is not caused by lowering cholesterol.
Important NuanceThere is an active research discussion about:
- Brain insulin signaling
- Metabolic health and cognition
- Whether aggressive LDL lowering in very elderly frail patients is beneficial
But that’s a far cry from:
“Lower cholesterol and you’ll get Alzheimer’s.”
That’s an oversimplification and not evidence-based.
Bottom Line
The post:
- Misrepresents the “type 3 diabetes” concept
- Ignores large statin trial data
- Overstates a causal claim that isn’t supported
If someone is concerned about:
- Statins
- LDL targets
- Cognitive effects
That should be discussed with their physician based on:
- Individual cardiovascular risk
- Family history
- Personal lab values
