Naveed Sattar
Professor of Cardiometabolic Medicine/Honorary Consultant, University of Glasgow
I do not believe there is a causal link here, as this is an observational study rather than a randomized controlled trial. It is important to note that individuals who consumed more high-fat cheese and cream were, on average, better educated. This raises the possibility of residual confounding - whereby other 'healthy' characteristics associated with higher education, rather than the cheese or cream itself, may explain the lower dementia rates observed.
We already know of several well-established and proven factors that reduce dementia risk, such as maintaining healthy blood pressure, managing weight, and preventing heart disease or stroke. These interventions should remain the priority, given their strong evidence base, rather than focusing on unproven dietary associations.