Low Cholesterol Linked to Depression

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Dr. Mercola

March 26 2000

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Low Cholesterol Linked to Depression

Results of a study conducted by Dutch researchers provide additional evidence for a link between low cholesterol levels and an increased risk of depression in men. Investigators measured serum cholesterol levels in some 30,000 men, as part of a large screening program.

They compared the presence of depressive symptoms, anger, hostility, and impulsivity in these men, to men with cholesterol levels in the normal range. They found that men with chronically low cholesterol levels showed a consistently higher risk of having depressive symptoms.

Cholesterol may affect the metabolism of serotonin, a substance known to be involved in the regulation of mood as the researchers have previously shown that serotonin levels are also reduced in men with low levels of cholesterol.

Psychosomatic Medicine 2000;62.

Dr. Mercola's Comments:

The results could be seen as a challenge to the view that 'the lower the cholesterol, the better.' Clearly this is not true. Cholesterol is not the evil molecule it is made out to be. There clearly appears to be a risk for cholesterols that are too low.

What is too low? Probably any level much under 150, an optimum would likely be 200. Cholesterol is important as it serves as the precursor molecule for most all of our steroid hormones, such as pregnenolone, DHEA, testosterone, progesterone and estrogen.

If one has low cholesterol levels then one should be suspicious that your hormones may not be optimal. My cholesterol has been as low as 85 and with great effort I was able to get it up to 175. However, it is usually below 150. I have tried many therapies to increase it, but none have been consistently effective.

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Community Comments ( 2 )

mrliving

[ Joined on 06/06 ] [ Posted on

September 16, 2008

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I do believe it is unhealthy to lower total cholesterol too much; in fact I did this ironically with a high fat, low carbohydrate diet when I first became a raw vegan.

The operative word is statins or any other drug used to manipulate processes in the body artificially.

The problem with the analysis of these cholesterol studies is that they were not done by natural means.

I am 49yrs old, and have been a raw vegan for four years. My 1/30/08 blood work for cholesterol indicated: Total Cholesterol – 146, Triglycerides – 87, HDL – 69, LDL – 60, HDL Ratio – 2.1. Even by conventional standards these stats are excellent. These numbers are with no vigorous exercise, and a low fat raw vegan diet. Trust me; it is possible to attain healthy cholesterol levels addressing diet only!

Your friend in abundant health,

Malcolm Livingston www.myspace.com/rawinthehood

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Nikovdh

[ Joined on 07/08 ] [ Posted on

July 8, 2008

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My cholesterol levels recently took a nosedive into "normal" limits during my severe depression. I felt better when my Cholesterol was at 242 (Low Carb, high fat diet). I just started drinking raw milk again because I recently developed food intolerances to everything along with my severe depression. I am back to the lower carb diet w/ plenty of butter & meat, fish oils, raw milk. and feeling better.. my cholesterol level is probably going up again.. but I'd rather feel better. Even though my cholesterol gets higher, its most likely the "big fluffy" type LDL on a low carb diet.

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