Do you know the Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM) and School of Montpellier financed experts indicated that regulating ‘good’ and ‘bad’ levels of cholesterol can help prevent mood problems among seniors?
In a newly released issue of the journal Biological Psychiatry (http://www.biologicalpsychiatryjournal.com) written 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) announced that gender specific regulation of cholesterol levels can help stop depressive disorder in the aging seniors.
French scientists observed a large number of men and women aged sixty five and older for 7 years.
They identified that depressive disorder in women was connected with lower levels of “good” high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), which puts them at higher risk for coronary disease, including stroke.
On the other hand, depression in men was related to 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 can help reduce depressive disorder in the elderly, the researchers concluded.
The research appeared in the July 15 issue of the journal Biological Psychiatry (Reference: http://www.biologicalpsychiatryjournal.com/article/S0006-3223(10)00393-8/abstract).
Major nutritional sources of cholesterol include dairy products, egg yolks, meat, pork, chicken, and shrimp. Plant products such as flax seeds and peanuts include cholesterol-like compounds known as phytosterols.
Total cholesterol means 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 tested.
Experts recommend to have cholesterol tested more often than five years if a person has total cholesterol of 200 mg/dL or more, or if a man over age 45 or a woman over age fifty has HDL (good) cholesterol less than 40 mg/dL, or exist other risk components for cardiovascular disease and stroke.
So…exactly what can you do to increase your HDL (good) and decrease your LDL (bad) levels?
- Physical exercise can substantially increase HDL cholesterol while lowering LDL cholesterol.
- Smoking cigarettes has been shown to lower HDL while raising LDL cholesterol.
- Highly processed, trans fats at the same time raise LDL cholesterol and lower HDL cholesterol.
- Monounsaturated fats such as those found in organic olive oil and avocados increase HDL and lower LDL.
- Fatty fish like sardines and salmon contain omega-3 fats that raise HDL and lower LDL.
- Whole, intact grains contain dietary fiber and niacin, both of which raise HDL and may lower LDL.
Now it’s all to you…
The author – Betty Doyle shares knowledge for the depression pills .org blog. It’s a nonprofit site specialized in her personal depression journey. The blog focuses on presenting energy and hope to anyone who is suffering from depressive disorder and supports those individuals to find the energy to fight against the effects of depression.
By doing this she would like to support alleviate some of the stigma mental illness depression can cause and help the public perception of mood difficulties.
