# Cholesterol

Source: https://synapse-lifestyle.com/en/reference-guide/biomarkers/total-cholesterol

Unit: mg/dL

## What is Cholesterol?

Total cholesterol adds up all the types of cholesterol in your blood, a broad overview number. Like the total on a receipt, it says something about the whole, but the underlying items tell you more. As a rough first impression it's useful, but the breakdown, especially LDL and HDL: tells you more about your heart over the long term.

## Clinical frame

High cholesterol in middle age increases the risk of cognitive decline and dementia in later life [1]. One possible explanation is that excess cholesterol contributes to atherosclerosis, which can reduce the efficiency of blood flow to the brain. This can result in small or larger areas of brain tissue damage, with cognitive decline as a consequence.

## What moves this value?

Saturated fat, low fibre and hereditary predisposition play a part; an underactive thyroid can also raise it.

More soluble fibre and healthy fats, less saturated fat and regular movement usually steer this favourably. Look mainly at the breakdown together with your doctor.

## What this connects

- [HDL cholesterol](https://synapse-lifestyle.com/en/reference-guide/biomarkers/hdl-cholesterol)
- [LDL cholesterol](https://synapse-lifestyle.com/en/reference-guide/biomarkers/ldl-cholesterol)

Developed and reviewed with the Synapse [medical advisory board](https://synapse-lifestyle.com/en/advisory-board).

## References

1. van Vliet, P. Cholesterol and Late-Life Cognitive Decline. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease 30, S147–S162 (2012). https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-2011-111028

- [Read more in the reference guide](https://synapse-lifestyle.com/en/reference-guide/brain#Consequence-CSBrain-FChol)
- [All biomarkers in the guide](https://synapse-lifestyle.com/en/reference-guide#biomarkers)

The colour zones are personal: they depend on age, sex, risk and history, and appear in the patient's own report.

Insights to discuss with the patient, not a diagnostic instrument.