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Low LDL level linked to Parkinson's disease CHAPEL HILL, N.C., Dec. 19 (UPI) -- People with low levels of LDL cholesterol -- bad cholesterol --are more likely to have Parkinson's disease than those with high levels, found a U.S. study. Low levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, or LDL, are considered an indicator of good cardiovascular health, according to study leader Dr. Xuemei Huang, medical director of the Movement Disorder Clinic at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Hospitals. "People with Parkinson's disease have a lower occurrence of heart attack and stroke than people who do not have the disease," said Huang. "Parkinson's patients are also more likely to carry the gene APOE-2, which is linked with lower LDL cholesterol." Participants in the study with lower LDL levels -- less than 114 milligrams per deciliter -- had a 3.5-fold higher occurrence of Parkinson's than the participants with higher LDL levels -- more than 138 milligrams per deciliter, according to the researchers. However, Huang cautioned that people should not change their eating habits, nor their use of cholesterol-lowering drugs, because the study was based on relatively small numbers of cases and controls, and the results are too preliminary. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn