Do you know the Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM) and School of Montpellier financed researchers indicated that managing 'good' and 'bad' cholesterol levels can help avoid mental conditions among seniors? 

 

 

In a recent 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 may help prevent depressive disorders in the seniors. 

 

French scientists observed a considerable number of men and women aged sixty five and older for seven years. 

 

They determined 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 coronary disease, including stroke. 

 

In contrast, 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 can help avoid depressive disorder in the aging seniors, the study 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, meat, pork, poultry, and shrimp. Plant products such as flax seeds and peanuts incorporate 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 measured. 

 

It is recommended to have cholesterol tested more frequently than 5 years if someone has total cholesterol of 200 mg/dL and up, or if a man over age 45 or a woman over age fifty has HDL (good) cholesterol under 40 mg/dL, or exist other risk components for heart disease and stroke. 

 

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

 1. Exercise can substantially improve 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 olive oil and avocados increase HDL and lower 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... 

 

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About the writer - Betty Doyle shares knowledge for the depression pills effects blog. It's a non profit site dedicated to her personal depression journey. The blog focuses on presenting energy and hope to any person who is suffering from depression and supports those people to find the energy to fight back against the effects of depression. With this she would like to aid alleviate some of the stigma mental illness depression can cause and help the general public perception of mood problems.