Your Brain Needs Cholesterol

2021-08-21 Your Brain Needs Cholesterol - David Perlmutter M.D.
Blog • November 14, 2013
Your Brain Needs Cholesterol
Category: Brain Health
Cholesterol is vitally important for brain function. While your brain

represents about 2-3% of your total body weight, 25% of the cholesterol in
your body is found in your brain, where it plays important roles in such
things as membrane function, acts as an antioxidant, and serves as the raw
material from which we are able to make things like progesterone, estrogen,
cortisol, testosterone and even vitamin D.
In fact, in a recent study available on the NIH Public Access site, researchers

showed that in the elderly, the best memory function was observed in those
with the highest levels of cholesterol. Low cholesterol is associated with an
increased risk for depression and even death.
https://www.drperlmutter.com/brain-needs-cholesterol/ 1/14
This understanding of the important role of cholesterol in brain function

raises concern as we now see changes in recommendations for prescribing
statin medication. Some estimates indicate that moving forward, the number
of individuals taking statins to lower cholesterol in America may actually
double! This presents a worrisome proposition for brain health.
Related Topics
Brain Antioxidant Cholesterol Statins NIH Vitamin D Testosterone
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Ginny • 8 years ago

Hi. I am more than half way through Grain Brain and have started eating a low-carb diet.
However, recently I heard on PBS about studies implicating cholesterol in Alzheimer's disease.
One is from April 15, 2013 by the Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome and the U. of
Colorado School of Medicine. They found that cholesterol damages the brain and blood vessels.
So, this concerns me greatly. 65, female, trying to hang in there.. .
15 △ ▽ • Reply • Share ›
gmeades > Ginny • 6 years ago • edited

If the brain is normally composed of around 25% cholesterol, and the people with the
best memories also have the highest cholesterol levels, it's highly suspicious that
someone thinks having high cholesterol is a cause of Alzheimer's disease. Doesn't
make sense at all.
Actually, the high cholesterol being bad theory itself is wrong, and promoted mainly to sell
cholesterol lowering drugs which generates about $32 biliion a year for the
cholesterol lowering drugs, which generates about $32 biliion a year for the
pharmaceutical companies in this country.
In Japan, they warn against low cholesterol, which produces many health problems,
including depression and intracerebral hemorrhaging (Google "low cholesterol
intracerebral hemorrhage"), and the ironic thing is the Japanese used the same
information from results of US clinical trials to come to this conclusion. So, what was the
difference in arriving at these very different conclusions using the same clinical trial
information...? In Japan, there was no big pharma involved in dealing with an FDA. In
other words, there was no profit motive.
When people take cholesterol lowering drugs, they commonly experience a number of
side effects ranging from loss of memory, loss of balance, black outs, amnesia, etc.
because the brain needs cholesterol to function. When the cholesterol level is artificially
manipulated and lowered, the pharmaceutical companies profits may get healthier, but
the individuals brains can no longer function properly and they begin to show signs of
mental impairment and other problems.
People should avoid cholesterl lowering drugs like the plague, as artificially lowering ones
cholesterol level can not only cause impairment of the memory and thought process, but
can actually lead to death as the brain continues to deteriorate (I had an uncle who died
as a result of taking cholesterol lowering drugs, and watched the progression
personally).
Google "the low cholesterol hoax", and you'll find a ton of information explaining why high
cholesterol is not a bad thing, and can even be considered good, while low cholesterol is
the real danger. You may even come across an article explaining how the low cholesterol
myth was started (by a political organization) and how it had nothing to do with what
medical science said at all.
10 △ ▽ • Reply • Share ›
Jane > gmeades • 5 years ago

Everyone in my family has tested high on the cholesterol thing. Dad lived to be 83
yrs 8 months,, Mom was 79 yrs +5 days. My doc didn't shudder after he read my
test. Was high across the board, particularly HDL. He said, "Don't worry. We
usually equate that with what's called 'longevity syndrome'." Well, THAT sounded
okay with me! :)
4△ ▽ • Reply • Share ›
Lirpa > Jane • 4 years ago

That's awesome Jane! Wish that was the case in my family. Mom had
high cholesterol, and although she died of glioblastoma, she was sharp
and quick as a whip, till her last breath, did not lose any mental capacity
whatsoever. The doctors believe the cancer was from a viral infection
she'd contracted 7 years earlier, based on progression of symptoms. She
graduated college at age 63, with honors of Summa Cum Laude. Doing
all her schooling while brain cancer grew, and earning 4.0s along the way.
Field of Colors > Lirpa • 4 years ago

OOh wow..I am so sorry ...she sounds like she was a magnificent and
resilient lady...I am so sorry for such irreplaceable loss.

My mom has high cholesterol since ever, she is 88 , walks ten blocks
every day , eats well and enjoys every minute of her life !
Lirpa > Field of Colors • 4 years ago

Amen to your Mom's good health! How awesome! Thank you for your kind
words, and for sharing your Mom's story. I pray she lives to be a
centurian, and shows the world that high cholesterol is NOT a killer!
Jason > Jane • 2 years ago

Having a high HDL (High Density Lipoprotein) is actually very good and
may be why you didn't get any cholesterol related disease or condition.
HDL is considered as "good" cholesterol.
△ ▽ • Reply • Share ›
Little Beebop > gmeades • 2 years ago

Thank you so much for your comments. I have a FB page dedicated to helping
people regain their health through consuming raw egg yolks, clean cholesterol.
www.facebook.com/depression...
maxx > gmeades • 3 years ago • edited

Noticed I replied a year ago.
maxx > gmeades • 4 years ago

I am definitely in your camp with regard to cholesterol. When I found out how
much cholesterol makes up the brain I immediately began to wonder about
Alzheimer's. Alzheimer's only became a popular topic in recent times, about the
same time statin drugs began to be used. I also never heard that the brain
creates cholesterol. My information says cholesterol is produced by the liver
which is a bio-active organ. That seems to correlate with why people taking statin
drugs most often suffer from liver failure. Additionally I never could fully
understand why Big Pharma was allowed to patent statins because they were
already a naturally occurring substance in Chinese Herbal Medicine. Red rice
yeast is a naturally occurring statin. How the patent office allowed this is very very
suspicious to say the least. Then there is the story of how the safe cholesterol
level of 200 was determined. My information says it was an arbitrary number
picked not by an actual medical doctor but by a country coroner.
Betty Couponder > maxx • 9 months ago

I learned in nursing school anything under 200 meant you have cancer!!!!
Extremely high meant you are lazy!!!!
Emmanuel Goldstein > gmeades • 5 years ago

Emmanuel Goldstein > gmeades • 5 years ago
Fair point, but the cholesterol produced by the brain has nothing to do with the
cholesterol HDL and LDL found in the body outside the brain. The question is,
can we raise our brain cholesterol levels, good for myelination, by raising our food
intake high in cholesterol?
△ ▽ 1 • Reply • Share ›
Tom T > Emmanuel Goldstein • 4 years ago

cholesterol produced in the liver crosses the blood brain barrier in a
complex mechanism requiring abundant and healthy cholesterol
molecules
Aliviana > Emmanuel Goldstein • 5 years ago

There is only one type of cholesterol. It's cholesterol. VLDL, LDL, and
HDL are all the same type of lipoprotein, which transports cholesterol and
triglycerides, of which its classification changes respective to size as
triglycerides are removed from it by fat cells.
Tom T > Emmanuel Goldstein • 3 years ago

that is simply not true emmanuel. cholesterol has to cross the blood brain
barrier.It is not produced in the brain
Driton S. Imami > Ginny • 7 years ago

Eat what you want, it doesn't matter, but don't eat too much
3△ ▽ 1 • Reply • Share ›
Tina Toburen > Driton S. Imami • 5 years ago

I agree with HikeCyclePhoto... eat 200 calories of almonds, wait an hour, then eat
200 calories of cheetos... which one was satisfying? which improved your mood?
which gave you a headache? after which did you become hungry sooner?
Food matters.
We're all unique. Maybe "eat what you want" works for YOU, but I would not
recommend it to anyone else.
Driton S. Imami > Tina Toburen • 5 years ago • edited

yeah, probably that is true, maybe my body can handle a lot's of fat in my
everyday meals, but we should not forget to mention that also the genetic
factor matters... cause my parent ate so, also my grandparents and they
never got high in cholesterol, also and I ate same way since my childhood
and I never ever got a high cholesterol in blood.
And here is the point, before starting a diet people should know hove does
they body works, have are their genetics, and have is their body
response... in order to make things better not worse.
2 • Reply • Share ›
Tom T > Tina Toburen • 4 years ago

are corn dogs and a big gulp good for you?
A Day > Tom T • 4 years ago

...they are extremely good for you if they make you happy. Go for quality
rather than quantity. You want a long miserable life or a great life maybe a
few years or months shorter? That's the question. Ain't it?
Tom T > A Day • 4 years ago

good point
HikeCyclePhoto > Driton S. Imami • 6 years ago

Fine, tell that to someone who's extremely active physically, and needs 4,000-
5,000 calories per day, JUST to stay even. And, yes, it DOES matter what one
eats.We need fiber, healthy fats, lean protein, and in some cases lots of calories.
Try riding a bicycle 50-100 miles (in a day, not a year) on the "it doesn't matter"
diet, and see how you feel. Actually, if you follow the "it doesn't matter diet, don't
even TRY something strenuous without consulting your physician.
A Day > HikeCyclePhoto • 4 years ago

...bullfarts...I can work circles around you and eat pizza every day. just
cause you 'think' you are healthy don't mean it's so...
1△ ▽ 1 • Reply • Share ›
Driton S. Imami > HikeCyclePhoto • 5 years ago

Even If I would ride bicycle for that long, I would only increase my fat
intake, because a gram of fat contains 9 calories, a gram of carbs ..6
calories and a gram of protein has only 4, so there are a lot of scientific
evidences and plenty of experiments are done that show us that people
who are active for a long period they need more fats, including saturated
and unsaturated fats, also another thing that matters is your genetics,
some people are more resistant in cholesterol than others so depend on
you have you would behave with your body
Jennifer Sheldon > Ginny • 2 years ago

The brain uses and is comprised of about 75% cholesterol, not 25%. It uses 25%of the
total amount for the total body. These studies you refer to are always flawed and usually
have financial gains to be made by ignoring past of the studies that prove the other side
to be better, which is completely true in the studies regarding high carb diets, plant based
diets, "healthy" grains and so on. Sugar is actually the culprit for damaging our brains,
veins, arteries and bodies overall.
Now, if you eat junk meat and junk fat, instead of high quality pastured, you're going to
throw off the balance of good fats in your body. Watch Dr. Berg, Siim Land, Primal Edge
Health, Bobby's Perspective and last but definitely not least, Frankie Tuffano on YouTube.
They all have videos that go into the why and how for eating keto and cutting most, if not
all carbs out (all vegetation is carbs and equals sugar).
Sandy • 8 years ago

I have MS. While I believe that the brain does need cholesterol, I'm having trouble figuring out
how much cholesterol makes sense for an MS patient, given the work the Swank did and your
own paper on the topic. I'm thoroughly confused about cholesterol in the context of MS.
MR PALEO > Sandy • 5 years ago

Research Dr, Wahls protocol...
EFHerne > Sandy • 6 years ago

STOP EATING GMO's or "genetically modified organisms" the gov't classifies as "food."
It's not. It's highly toxic and loaded with poisonous cholesterol your body cannot EVER
absorb. And you need tons of healthy cholesterol to keep producing brain cells!
If you don't know what GMO's are: they take the DNA of your food and re-combine it with
"BT toxin," the DNA of say a fish, and Round-up pesticide. Scientists mix this mess
together to make a "synthetic organism" or GMO. In essence, the DNA of the food you're
eating is recognized by human DNA as a TOXIN and NOT FOOD. Something crazy to
think about...
Your DNA is programmed to ALL organic compounds in nature EVERY ancestor of

yours has ever been exposed to!!!
Science will try to convince you otherwise, but DO NOT LISTEN...
**Lab-created disease is NOT the same as organic disease, just as a lab-created ruby
is not a REAL ruby.
When science starts lab-creating diseases (like BT toxin) for food (or GMOs), or lab
see more
Marilyn Kircus > EFHerne • 6 years ago

GMO's are not bad in themselves, but most of the modifications are for the
benefit of farmers and the detriment of of the consumers. GMO's that allow the
plant to live in high concentrations of Roundup are particularly dangerous. The
GMO tomato, with the gens turned backwards to prevent quick rotting, is not
going to hurt you. But GMO corn, soy, and some other grains will hurt you, plus
they are not good for you in the first place, particularly wheat and corn. And
remember rice usually has high mercury levels.
Esther Seib Shelley > Sandy • 2 years ago

People with MS may have a complicating factor that they may be intolerant to their
healthy fats (well, any fats, as they are all processed by the same chemical pathway), so
they should consider seeing a BIE practitioner in Canada, aka Holistic Allergist in the
States. They can help your body reset that problem so it heals itself. MS means the
myelin sheath is compromised, which is made of fatty acids/cholesterol. That may mean
you have to eat more in order to break at least some of it down. The bulk of it doesn't get
broken down, which means it won't fit into any receptor sites and is just flushed from the
body. You blood will have the fats in it and if tested will read as falsely high, but it can't
deposit properly (doesn't fit into a receptor site). Consider a low efficiency fuel furnace.
Your body is that furnace for fats. It gets some, but not enough. The younger you
presented with symptoms, the lower the potential 'efficiency rating' for fat tolerance.
maxx > Sandy • 3 years ago

Do some research into "turmeric". I know it is being researched related to MS right now.
Dettrea Weston > Sandy • 5 years ago

Interesting discussion, contact me, I have some even more interesting information!
Wdettrea@yahoo.com!
Gamer Gamer > Sandy • 6 years ago

our liver produce most of all the cholesterol we have, what comes from food is a bare
minimum that doesn't really change our cholesterol level. Cholesterol is the most
important molecul of the human body. we can not have too much.
Tina Toburen > Gamer Gamer • 5 years ago

Yes, the liver does a LOT of work... so make sure you take care of the liver in
return. Feed it good food and try not to tax it with unknown/highly processed food-
like items (fake sugars, fillers and artificial flavors come to mind).
I also take Milk Thistle occasionally to give my liver additional support. I definitely
feel better the morning after taking Milk Thistle.
Jane > Gamer Gamer • 5 years ago

One of the doctors I work for looked at me guiltily when I walked into his office
and he was munching on a Big Mac & fries. I smiled and said, "Your brain
NEEDS cholesterol. Your secret is safe with me."
alternateRE > Jane • 3 years ago

Your comment would be of more value if you shared the doctor's
response.
Marilyn Kircus > Gamer Gamer • 6 years ago

Exactly. It's the DRUG companies that are setting the standards. And studies are
showing that higher levels of cholesterol in your body make for more cognition in
older people. It also seems to be protective against Alzheimer's, along with up to
4 cups of coffee a day.
Lynn Dell • 8 years ago

If people want to keep feeding themselves excessive carbohydrates, including high fructose
corn syrup, also too much sodium, and if they don't want to exercise or lose needed weight, or
understand the difference between "good fats" and "bad fats" or the proper omega 3 to omega 6
ratio, they can have their statin meds because they probably need them. I want no part of them,
and am glad to have been made aware of a path back to better health through nutrition. Thanks
for explaining (in your book) that HDL and LDL are not cholesterol, btw, and that it is primarily
carbs that cause free radical damage to LDL, which leads to much of the damage.
Hana Dolgin • 6 years ago

I was eating only fish and eggs and plant based food for over 30 years. I thought I was doing
good. Then last year, I developed asthma and tried to treat it naturally and had to use meds.
Recently, I did a special computerized scan and was told that I was severely protein deficient! It
was recommended to me to eat some red meat, and I was also prescribed supplements that
contained animal glands and organs. Within two days, I felt a complete shift in my energy, which
is now sky-high! I guess I was low on saturated fat and protein, and I now feel fantastic! It shows
how dietary theories that sound good can in fact be wrong.... I guess it's a matter of how much
time one goes till the consequences start to show.
IdiocyAbounds • 7 years ago • edited

Somebody on this site needs to address the questions that are posted here. OR STOP posting
on the site. It is not only rude but just idiotic to post articles that you KNOW give people
questions and then just IGNORE them
In Today's world of social media... that is bad JUJU and you need to Grow UP, Man up and knock
it off
alternateRE > IdiocyAbounds • 3 years ago

You might want to explore psychotherapy.
I.C.Clearly > IdiocyAbounds • 7 years ago

The article is about cholesterol and the questions are about carbohydrates. Don't expect
an answer if your question is off topic.
John • 8 years ago

Well, but it seems (http://goo.gl/pYM5n) that cholesterol has some adverse effects after all. Is
e , but t see s ( ttp //goo g /p 5 ) t at c o este o as so e ad e se e ects a te a s
there a "safe" dosis? Could you comment on that?
gmeades > John • 6 years ago • edited

the "adverse effects" of cholesterol is a concept commonly promoted by doctors in the
US who are misinformed and who profit from their relationship with big pharmaceutical
companies.
Cholesterol lowering drugs provide around $32 billion a year in profits for these
companies, and it is in their interest to promote the fallacy that high cholesterol is
dangerous.
The truth is artificially lowering cholesterol is dangerous, leading to varying degrees of

mental impairment and even death, as the brain and the body break down from the
deficiency of the cholesterol it requires.
Google "the low cholesterol hoax" (also "the cholesterol myth") and you'll find a lot of
information about why high cholesterol is not bad, and how we've been misinformed on
the subject so the pharmaceutical companies can continue to rake in huge profits at the
expense of our health and our lives, all while lying to us and telling us it's for our health.
How can lowering cholesterol, something that impairs our brain function, inhibits various
body functions, and leads to our degeneration and death be good for us? Answer - it's
see more
parkdalejim • 8 years ago

In the announcement of new guidelines for cholesterol, Dr. Steven Nissen, chairman of
cardiology at the Cleveland Clinic was quoted as saying "This is kind of fire and forget" Maybe he
was being ironic, but I don't think so. Perhaps the next announcement by the medical
establishment is that they're putting statins in the water!
A Day • 4 years ago

Everyone in my family with the exception of my step mother has high cholesterol readings at
every test. My father just passed at 97, his mother passed at 98, while my step mother who is
87 has been in a nursing home for years with alzhiemers disease. Go figure. I'd rather go out
fast than gruelingly slow with a thing like brain freeze.
Jeff Layton • 8 years ago

Thank you Doctor for commenting on these new statin guidelines, I have been watching for
some sort of comment, as I find the new guidelines quite startling in the context of your writings,
and of those in the wheat belly blog.
Guest • 7 years ago

Dr. Perlmutter please elaborate on the specific metabolic mechanisms that delivers toxic
amounts of carbohydrates past the blood brain barrier. While your at it please publish it and have
it peer reviewed. Until then you're simply a TV figure head that 'somehow' obtained an M.D. in
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2021-08-21 Your Brain Needs Cholesterol - David Perlmutter M.D.

Blog • November 14, 2013

Category: Brain Health

Cholesterol is vitally important for brain function. While your brain

In fact, in a recent study available on the NIH Public Access site, researchers

This understanding of the important role of cholesterol in brain function

Brain Antioxidant Cholesterol Statins NIH Vitamin D Testosterone

61 Comments David Perlmutter MD 🔒 Disqus' Privacy Policy 

 Recommend 7 t Tweet f Share Sort by Best

Join the discussion…

Ginny • 8 years ago

gmeades > Ginny • 6 years ago • edited

Jane > gmeades • 5 years ago

Lirpa > Jane • 4 years ago

Field of Colors > Lirpa • 4 years ago

resilient lady...I am so sorry for such irreplaceable loss.

Lirpa > Field of Colors • 4 years ago

Jason > Jane • 2 years ago

Little Beebop > gmeades • 2 years ago

maxx > gmeades • 3 years ago • edited

maxx > gmeades • 4 years ago

Betty Couponder > maxx • 9 months ago

Emmanuel Goldstein > gmeades • 5 years ago

Tom T > Emmanuel Goldstein • 4 years ago

Aliviana > Emmanuel Goldstein • 5 years ago

Tom T > Emmanuel Goldstein • 3 years ago

Driton S. Imami > Ginny • 7 years ago

Tina Toburen > Driton S. Imami • 5 years ago

Driton S. Imami > Tina Toburen • 5 years ago • edited

Tom T > Tina Toburen • 4 years ago

A Day > Tom T • 4 years ago

Tom T > A Day • 4 years ago

HikeCyclePhoto > Driton S. Imami • 6 years ago

A Day > HikeCyclePhoto • 4 years ago

Driton S. Imami > HikeCyclePhoto • 5 years ago

Jennifer Sheldon > Ginny • 2 years ago

Sandy • 8 years ago

MR PALEO > Sandy • 5 years ago

EFHerne > Sandy • 6 years ago

Your DNA is programmed to ALL organic compounds in nature EVERY ancestor of

Science will try to convince you otherwise, but DO NOT LISTEN...

Marilyn Kircus > EFHerne • 6 years ago

Esther Seib Shelley > Sandy • 2 years ago

maxx > Sandy • 3 years ago

Dettrea Weston > Sandy • 5 years ago

Gamer Gamer > Sandy • 6 years ago

Tina Toburen > Gamer Gamer • 5 years ago

Jane > Gamer Gamer • 5 years ago

alternateRE > Jane • 3 years ago

Marilyn Kircus > Gamer Gamer • 6 years ago

Lynn Dell • 8 years ago

Hana Dolgin • 6 years ago

IdiocyAbounds • 7 years ago • edited

alternateRE > IdiocyAbounds • 3 years ago

I.C.Clearly > IdiocyAbounds • 7 years ago

John • 8 years ago

gmeades > John • 6 years ago • edited

The truth is artificially lowering cholesterol is dangerous, leading to varying degrees of