The hazards of low cholesterolMany people believe that they will be healthier, and live a longer life if they can get their cholesterol as low as possible. Drug companies would have us believe that the lower we can get our cholesterol levels the better. This is false and is no more than a plot to sell more cholesterol lowering drugs. You may remember that cholesterol has a lot of important functions in our body. When we don't have enough of it, either through the use of medication, strict dieting, or having naturally low levels, several health problems can arise. The following are health conditions that have all been linked to too low cholesterol: Aggressive behaviour, depression and suicide Cholesterol is needed for the serotonin receptors in the brain to function. Serotonin is the "feel good" chemical in our brain that helps to keep our mood stable, and makes us feel happy. Popular antidepressant medications such as Prozac, Zoloft and Cipramil are called Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) because they work to keep the levels of serotonin in our brain high. Epidemiological studies have linked low cholesterol levels with increased rates of mortality due to suicide, violence and accidents. Studies have also shown that people with low cholesterol levels have lower levels of serotonin. Dutch researchers measured the cholesterol levels of 30, 000 men and compared the incidence of depression, anger, impulsivity and hostility in these men with their incidence in men with normal cholesterol levels. They discovered that men with chronically low cholesterol have a higher incidence of depression and related symptoms. Some patients experience irritability and a short temper while taking cholesterol lowering medication, which resolves when they discontinue it. One study found that school aged children with a cholesterol level below 3.7mmol/L were almost three times more likely to be expelled or suspended from school than children with higher cholesterol levels. Slower brain function Cholesterol is a major component of our brain. Our nerve cells are insulated by a fatty material called myelin. You may have heard of myelin, as it is the substance that is destroyed in the disease multiple sclerosis. Myelin is made up of 70 percent fat; 28 percent of which is cholesterol. The high cholesterol content allows myelin to wrap tightly around nerve cells, speeding messages through the brain. This is probably why having a too low cholesterol level slows your brain down. A study was conducted by Professor Michael Muldoon, as part of the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The relationship between blood cholesterol and cognitive performance was tested in over four thousand people. It was discovered that lower blood cholesterol levels in men correlated with slower visuomotor speed; this is a measure of how quickly you react in emergency situations. *33/53/5* CHOLESTEROL «Mexican Online Pharmacy» |
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