For years, the looming fear of dementia has weighed heavy on the minds of millions. It’s one of those conditions folks feel powerless against—something that just happens, with little warning and fewer answers.

But a new study reported by The Guardian is offering a surprising clue: cholesterol.

Specifically, the research suggests that lowering low-density lipoprotein (LDL)—the so-called “bad” cholesterol—may cut the risk of developing dementia by as much as 26%. That’s a big number. And it’s putting a fresh spotlight on something that’s been sitting right in front of us all along.

We’ve always known cholesterol plays a major role in heart health. But this new connection to brain health might be the wake-up call people didn’t know they needed.

The truth is, a lot of what protects us from dementia may not be locked away in some lab or hidden in complicated medical language. It might just come down to the basics: eating better, moving your body, and keeping your numbers in check.

Simple stuff. But like a lot of simple stuff, it’s easy to ignore.

So what can you do? Start with your plate. Cutting back on fried foods, red meat, and processed snacks can help lower LDL levels. Swapping in more leafy greens, whole grains, fish, and healthy fats—think olive oil and avocados—makes a big difference. And don’t underestimate the power of a daily walk, a jog around the block, or hitting the gym. Regular exercise doesn’t just help your heart. It might just be helping your mind, too.

What this study shows is that brain health might not be as mysterious as we once thought. There’s no magic bullet, but there are real steps we can take. The kind your doctor’s probably been telling you about for years.

And now, science is backing it up—loud and clear.

So while dementia isn’t going away anytime soon, neither is hope. And it might just start with what’s on your plate and how often you lace up your shoes.