Is High Cholesterol Draining Your Mood?

What's the link between cholesterol and your mood? Believe it or not, new research uncovers a direct connection between stress, depression, and high cholesterol.

If the stress hormones - cortisol, adrenaline, and noradrenaline - are made from cholesterol, then how can cholesterol be harmful? A recent study found that out of 454,000 participants, all those who suffered from recurrent depression had unusually high levels of the hormone cortisol in their blood, along with another surprising finding: inflammation that weakens the immune system.

"The danger lies in the vicious cycle that develops within our bodies," explains one researcher. "High cortisol levels over time damage the immune system, creating a higher 'demand' for cholesterol. When this happens, our hormonal system also suffers."

The additional challenge arises from the problems surrounding the secretion of the neurotransmitter responsible for our happiness - serotonin. "When there's a significant build-up of cholesterol in the body, our intestines lose balance, and along with them, serotonin function decreases, since it's secreted from cells near the gut, not the brain. When digestive system function declines, we inevitably feel less joy and a downturn in mood."