By Betty Doyle
Do you know the Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM) and College of Montpellier funded professionals indicated that controlling ‘good’ and ‘bad’ cholesterol levels can help prevent mental disorders among aging seniors?
In a newly released issue of the 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) described that gender specific regulation of cholesterol may help avoid depression in the seniors.
French doctors followed a large number of men and women aged 65 and older for 7 years.
They determined that depressive disorder in women was linked with lower levels of “good” high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), which puts them at higher risk for coronary disease, including stroke.
In contrast, depressive disorder in men was related to low levels of “bad” low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). This association was strongest in men with a hereditary vulnerability to depression related to a serotonin transporter gene.
Therefore, proper regulation of HDL-C and LDL-C levels can help avoid depression in the seniors, the researchers concluded.
The study appeared in the July 15 issue of the journal Biological Psychiatry (Reference: http://www.biologicalpsychiatryjournal.com/article/S0006-3223(10)00393-8/abstract).
Major dietary sources of cholesterol include cheese, egg yolks, beef, pork, poultry, and shrimp. Plant products such as flax seeds and peanuts contain cholesterol-like substances known as 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 tested.
It is strongly recommended to have cholesterol tested more often than 5 years if someone 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 lower than 40 mg/dL, or exist other risk elements for heart problems and stroke.
So…exactly what can you do to rise your HDL (good) and decrease your LDL (bad) levels?
1. Physical exercise can substantially raise HDL cholesterol while lowering LDL cholesterol.
2. Smoking has been shown to lower HDL while raising LDL cholesterol.
3. Processed, trans fats at the same time raise LDL cholesterol and lower HDL cholesterol.
4. Monounsaturated fats such as those found in olive oil and avocados increase HDL and reduce LDL.
5. Fatty fish like sardines and salmon contain omega-3 fats that raise HDL and lower LDL.
6. Whole, intact grains contain soluble fiber and niacin, both of which raise HDL and may lower LDL.
Now it’s all to you…
About the writer – Betty Doyle shares knowledge for the depression pills effects blog. It’s a non profit web site dedicated to her personal depression journey. The blog is targeted on giving energy and hope to any person who is suffering from depressive disorder and supports those individuals to find the energy to fight back against the effects of depression. In this manner she would like to support alleviate some of the stigma mental illness depression can cause and help the general public perception of mood problems.
