Studies have found that low cholesterol levels due to a low fat diet increases omega 6 omega 3 ratios from 6:1 to 33:1. Omega 6 is helpful but once it is higher than omega 3 inflammation and other diseases arise hence coronary artery diseases and other cardiovascular problems have been associated with depression, low cholesterol and low omega 3.

Higher incidence of depression is due to low levels of omega 3 due to low consumption of fish and free range animals and high consumption of alcohol.

It has been noticed that depressive patients have their hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activated; HPA activation is related with higher cortisol levels, lower testosterone levels and it is suspected that it might be related with accelerated degradation of omega-3 fatty acid.

Cholesterol decreases reuptake of serotonin in other words cholesterol makes serotonin more available in the synapses.

Diet low in omega 3 have been linked with a decrease in dopamine and dopamine binding while diet rich in sunflower oil was co-related with an increase of norepinephrine release, alpha2 adrenergic sensitivity, beta2 adrenergic binding and coupling to adenylate cyclase.

Polyunsaturated fats and cholesterol do have a role on brain function and behavior; cholesterol has a secondary role compared to polyunsaturated fats yet as the study shows cholesterol does exert a positive influence on brain function and behavior.

Decreased levels of omega 3 have been linked with depression, insulin resistance and high intracellular calcium concentration...which might point out why cardiovascular accidents and other disorders are associated with depression.

The American journal of Clinical Nutrition 1996 pages 1 - 9  vol 62

About the Author:

Emmanuel Arroyo is a New York state licensed acupuncturist with special interest in depression and men’s health, chakras and essential oils. Blog writer.