A low cholesterol count among women -- and men -- could warn of the onset of depression and anxiety, researchers say.
Psychologist Edward Suarez of Duke University says that of 121 women tested in a recent study, those with lower cholesterol levels were more likely to score high on measures of depression and anxiety than women with normal or high cholesterol levels. Normal cholesterol levels are about 180 mg/dl to 200 mg/dl.
Suarez says there is now a "compelling body of evidence in both men and women that low cholesterol is a potential predictor for depression and anxiety in certain individuals." Previous studies have indicated the same propensity for depression and anxiety among men with low levels.
"While we certainly don't advocate that women indulge in high-fat foods, our data do suggest that women with naturally low cholesterol could benefit from raising their cholesterol through healthy dietary measures, like consuming more fish or fish oil," Suarez says.
