Can Low Cholesterol Increase Your Parkinson's Risk?

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Can Low Cholesterol Increase Your Parkinson's Risk? A low cholesterol level may increase the risk of Parkinson's disease, at least for men.Lower Cholesterol Levels Means Higher Risk of Parkinson'sSeveral years' worth of studies have revealed possible associations between low cholesterol and impaired mental function. Now scientists from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have discovered Parkinson's is one of the potential risks.A study measured the lipid levels of over 100 Parkinson's patients with a similar group of people who were free of the disease. After adjusting for factors such as age, smoking, and use of lipid-lowering agents, men with low total and LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels had an increased risk of Parkinson's. This did not, however, also prove to be the case for women.Six Times the ChancesMen with LDL cholesterol levels between 91 and 135 had 6 times the likelihood of having Parkinson's of those with LDL levels above 135, and those with LDL levels below 91 had 4 times the likelihood.One possibility is that cholesterol may help rid the body of environmental toxins that could trigger Parkinson's. Another is that cholesterol could be a precursor for hormones involved in nervous system function.Not True for WomenIt is unknown why the same association does not hold true for women. It may be connected with that fact that LDL cholesterol levels increase with age in men until they are 65 years old, but in women until they are 75. The lifetime risk of Parkinson's disease is about twice as high for men as it is for women.MSNBC September 29, 2005Dr. Mercola's Comment:http://www.mercola.com/2005/oct/18/can_low_cholesterol_increase_your_parkinsons_risk.htmI have regularly warned you that low cholesterol levels are not the "good" goal that your conventional physician would have you believe. Low cholesterol levels have been linked to stroke, depression, suicide, and aggressive behaviorClearly the myth that 'the lower your cholesterol, the better' is not true. Cholesterol is not the evil risk factor it is made out to be. It is far more of an innocent bystander and a symptom of insulin/leptin resistance. However, there appears to be a definite risk to having cholesterol levels that are too low.What is too low? This study cites 135, but probably any level much under 150 is getting into dangerous territory. An optimum level would likely be 200.Cholesterol is important, as it serves as the precursor molecule for most all of our steroid hormones, such as pregnenolone, DHEA, testosterone, progesterone, and estrogen. And the theory that lower amounts of cholesterol can't get rid of all the environmental toxins that can trigger Parkinson's is certainly in line with Dr. Ron Rosedale's recent article that describes the many vital functions cholesterol performs to keep you healthy.Related Articles:Want to Live to 100? Get Your Good Cholesterol Level UpCholesterol is Needed to Help Your Brain Cells CommunicateCure for High Cholesterol - - Hint It is NOT a Drug