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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by FourFeathers on February 11, 2009, at 18:22:46
Hello,
I don't know if this is the appropriate board to post this on, but I am hoping someone can assist.
I recently found that my cholesterol is low (132) which I know is common in those with mental illness. If mental illness is adequately treated is it common for cholesterol levels to increase, or is it necessary to increase the cholesterol through other means which can then have a positive benefit to the treatment of the mental illness? Perhaps additional testing to rule out an autoimmune disorder may be in order as well?
I am currently taking multivitamins, fish oil, milk thistle, probiotics, and folate (Deplin) in addition to the prescriptions of Cymbalta and Sular.
Any assistance in better understanding this is greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
4F
Posted by janejane on February 12, 2009, at 10:38:30
In reply to Low Cholesteral + Depression, posted by FourFeathers on February 11, 2009, at 18:22:46
I had no idea low cholesterol was linked to depression. Very interesting. Intuitively, it seems like correcting the cholesterol would be more likely to alleviate the depression than the other way around, but I'm looking forward to seeing what others say about it.
Posted by Phillipa on February 12, 2009, at 12:24:32
In reply to Re: Low Cholesteral + Depression » FourFeathers, posted by janejane on February 12, 2009, at 10:38:30
New normals for cholesterol under 200. I had heard many many years ago that too low a cholesterol level could lead to cancer. Fallicy in my opinion never heard of a link between depression? Have to google that one. Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on February 12, 2009, at 12:35:32
In reply to Low Cholesteral + Depression, posted by FourFeathers on February 11, 2009, at 18:22:46
Four Feathers may I ask where you got your info? As I'd think that was a desirable cholesterol level. Only searches I saw indicated low cholesterol could be linked with low serotonin levels. This seriously is a new one to me. Phillipa
Posted by FourFeathers on February 12, 2009, at 12:49:33
In reply to Re: Low Cholesteral + Depression » FourFeathers, posted by Phillipa on February 12, 2009, at 12:35:32
Phillipa,
Correct, it is believed that low cholesterol results in lower functioning of the serotonin system which then can lead to depression, anxiety, etc.
I found information related to this in numerous articles that I was reading over the last few days. I don't have all of the links, but here are a couple from quick Google searches:
http://www.naturalnews.com/025446.html
I look forward to additional input on this topic.
Thank you.
Posted by Jimmyboy on February 12, 2009, at 14:01:59
In reply to Re: Low Cholesteral + Depression, posted by FourFeathers on February 12, 2009, at 12:49:33
Sorry didn;t have time to read the links but it makes perfect sense that low cholesterol would lead to major imbalances downstream that could lead to depression..
You should think about supplementing with a very healthy doses of Omega 3 fish oil ( good quality liquids) and good Omega 6's ( olive oil , borage oil) and see if that helps balance your system out.
Posted by janejane on February 12, 2009, at 14:46:36
In reply to Low Cholesteral + Depression, posted by FourFeathers on February 11, 2009, at 18:22:46
Out of curiosity, why are you taking fish oil, and what was your cholesterol like before you started? I've read that it can lower triglycerides and I'm wondering whether that would be good for you.
Posted by Sigismund on February 12, 2009, at 15:45:56
In reply to Re: Low Cholesteral + Depression » FourFeathers, posted by janejane on February 12, 2009, at 10:38:30
I wonder if low cholesterol could be linked to low hormone levels and therefore mood?
Well, what I am thinking about is a study that was done where hormone levels were adjusted by the addition of bioidentical hormones to be in the optimal range, and when this was done, cholesterol levels dropped. The body had been increasing cholesterol to compensate for lowered hormone levels.
Posted by Sigismund on February 12, 2009, at 15:53:02
In reply to Re: Low Cholesteral + Depression, posted by Sigismund on February 12, 2009, at 15:45:56
I think this was it
http://www.lef.org/LEFCMS/aspx/PrintVersionMagic.aspx?CmsID=108988
Posted by Sigismund on February 12, 2009, at 15:55:11
In reply to Re: Low Cholesteral + Depression, posted by Sigismund on February 12, 2009, at 15:45:56
>I wonder if low cholesterol could be linked to low hormone levels and therefore mood?
Or the whole thing gets out of whack?
Posted by Phillipa on February 12, 2009, at 19:53:23
In reply to Re: Low Cholesteral + Depression, posted by Sigismund on February 12, 2009, at 15:55:11
Okay this thread is mostly about men but interestingly enough just this week my pdoc suggested that some estrogen might be the ticket for me. So she said to try and find a doc here who tests hormones and prescribes bioidentical as synthetic estrogen is horse pee literally . I used to take bio ones but not based on personal formula just averages for women cream based. Asked pharmacist today for compounding RX and he does some no name of docs though. And interesting enough women and men died after menopause when reproduction done. I think we're on to something. Love PJ
Posted by desolationrower on March 16, 2009, at 0:47:15
In reply to Re: Low Cholesteral + Depression » Sigismund, posted by Phillipa on February 12, 2009, at 19:53:23
yeah i think strongest link would be with hormone creation, there is some research low cholesterol might be involved in autism spectrum, but that is likely not very generalizable. biggest thing i think -> very low cholesterol numbers probably mean eating very low fat diet, which probably means high carb diet. insulin and blood sugar effects from this can be disturbing ot moods. it could be affecting immune system as well. try eating some monofats (best would be olive oil, almonds, pistachios, macadamias), and some coconut milk saturated fat. heres a review of effect of varous fats on cholesterol levles. http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/full/77/5/1146
-d/r
This is the end of the thread.
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