Managing cholesterol level helps reduce depression

University of Montpellier analysts demonstrate us how depression is linked to cholestrerol levels and gender.

Do you know the Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM) and University of Montpellier financed scientists suggested that managing 'good' and 'bad' levels of cholesterol can help reduce mood disorders among seniors?

In a newly released issue of the academic journal Biological Psychiatry (http://www.biologicalpsychiatryjournal.com) released in July 2010, leading researcher Dr. Marie-Laure Ancelin of INSERM (Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale http://www.inserm.fr) documented that gender-specific regulation of cholesterol may help stop depressive disorders in the aging adults.

French analysts observed a considerable group of women and men aged sixty-five and older for seven years.

They established that depressive disorder in women was associated with lower levels of "good" high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), which puts them at higher risk for cardiovascular disease, including heart stroke.

On the other hand, depressive disorder in men was associated with low levels of "bad" low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). This association was strongest in men with a genetic vulnerability to depression related to a serotonin transporter gene.

Therefore, proper regulation of HDL-C and LDL-C levels may help reduce depression in the seniors, the study concluded.

The analysis appeared in the July 15 issue of the journal Biological Psychiatry (Reference: http://www.biologicalpsychiatryjournal.com/article/S0006-3223(10)00393-8/abstract).

Major diet sources of cholesterol include dairy products, egg yolks, beef, pork, poultry, and shrimp. Plant products such as flax seeds and peanuts incorporate cholesterol-like substances called phytosterols.

Total cholesterol is described as the sum of HDL (High-density lipoprotein), LDL (Low-density lipoprotein), and VLDL (Very-low-density lipoprotein). Usually, only the total, HDL, and triglycerides are measured.

It is suggested to have cholesterol tested more often than five years if a person has total cholesterol of 200 mg/dL or higher, or if a man over age forty five or a woman over age fifty has HDL (good) cholesterol lower than 40 mg/dL, or exist other risk elements for cardiovascular disease and stroke.

So...what can you do to increase your HDL (good) and decrease your LDL (bad) levels?

These tips can help you increase your good cholestrol and decrease your bad level:

1. Exercising can substantially increase HDL cholesterol while lowering LDL cholesterol.

2. Smoking has been shown to lower HDL while raising LDL cholesterol.

3. Prepared, trans fats at the same time raise LDL cholesterol and lower HDL cholesterol.

4. Monounsaturated fats such as those found in essential olive oil and avocados increase HDL and reduce LDL.

5. Fatty fish like salmon and sardines contain omega-3 fats that raise HDL and lower LDL.

6. Whole, intact grains contain dietary fiber and niacin, both of which raise HDL and may lower LDL.

Now it's all to you...

About the author - Betty Doyle publishes articles for the http://www.depressionpills.net/ blog. It's a nonprofit website specialized in her personal depression journey. The blog focuses on giving energy and hope to any individual who is suffering from depressive disorder and promotes those people to find the energy to fight back against the effects of depression. This way she wants to support alleviate some of the stigma mental illness depression can cause and help the public perception of mood diseases.