What Are Depression Warning Signs?

Is There an Effective Depression Test?

Depression warning signs: look for the signs of depression in men and women. Can a depression test provide early warning signs and help find a more effective cure?

If you suffer from depression then test your cholesterol levels because depression warning signs may be linked to your HDL and LDL levels.

For more information, read the following article from our guest author, Betty Doyle. It can provide you with early signs for depression and enable you to better manage the issues related to depression.

School of Montpellier Experts Show
How Depressive Disorder is Related to Cholesterol and Gender

Did you know that the Institute of Medical and Health Research (IMHR) and School of Montpellier have produced research that indicates controlling 'good' and 'bad' cholesterol may help stop emotional conditions among aging adults?

In a recent issue of the Biological Psychiatry journal released in July 2010, leading researcher Doctor Marie-Laure Ancelin of INSERM (Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale) documented that gender-specific regulation of cholesterol can help prevent depression symptoms in aging adults.

French researchers followed a statistically significant number of males and females aged sixty-five and older for 7 years.

They determined that depression in women was linked with lower levels of "good" high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), which puts them at higher risk for coronary disease, including heart stroke.

In contrast, signs of depression in men were linked 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 may help stop depressive disorder in the elderly, the study concluded.

The analysis was published in the July 15 issue of the journal Biological Psychiatry (Reference: Journal Article S0006-3223(10)00393-8 ).

To manage, or eliminate depression, look at your diet. Major dietary sources of cholesterol include cheese, egg yolks, meat, pork, poultry, and shrimp. Plant products such as flax seeds and peanuts have cholesterol-like compounds called phytosterols.

Total cholesterol is defined as 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.

For health reasons (and as an early warning depression test), it is recommended to have cholesterol tested more often than five years if someone has total cholesterol of 200 mg/dL and up, or if a man over age forty five or a woman over age 50 has HDL (good) cholesterol under 40 mg/dL, or there exists other risk elements for heart problems and stroke.

So...exactly what can you do to raise your HDL (good) and decrease your LDL (bad) levels?

1. Workout can substantially increase HDL cholesterol while lowering LDL cholesterol.
2. Cigarette smoking has been shown to lower HDL while raising LDL cholesterol.
3. Highly processed, trans fats simultaneously raise LDL cholesterol and lower HDL cholesterol.
4. Monounsaturated fats such as those found in essential olive oil and avocados raise HDL and reduce LDL.
5. Fatty fish like salmon and sardines contain omega-3 fats that raise HDL and lower LDL.
6. Whole, intact cereals contain dietary fiber and niacin, both of which raise HDL and may lower LDL.

Now it's over to you to manage both your cholesterol, and depression warning signs!

About the author - Betty Doyle contributes articles for the Depression Pills Effects blog. It's a non profit web site focused on her personal depression journey and how she has managed her depression warning signs, causes and effects.

In addition to diet and exercise, also consider specific native herbal remedies which can help calm the nerves, reduce restlessness, and ease anxiety.

Additional Reading

What is Emotional Health?

Can Stress Cause Hives?

Depression Or Sadness

Exercise Reduces Stress

Mood Disorder Symptoms

Stress and Chest Pain

Stress Level Test