It’s become pretty common knowledge that the lower one’s level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, the better for the heart. A recent study has confirmed, however, the possibility that a low LDL count may signal a greater risk of developing Parkinson’s disease.

The Parkinson’s study involved 3,233 men of Japanese descent who were a part of a long-term study called the Honolulu-Asia Aging Study. Cholesterol levels were measured in these men between 1991 and 1993, a time before cholesterol-lowering statin drugs were commonly available.

Once lifestyle factors, such as coffee consumption, smoking, and age, were considered, the odds of developing Parkinson’s disease in the following ten years was twice as high in men with low levels of LDL cholesterol than those with higher levels. For study purposes, a low level of LDL cholesterol is 85 mg/dL while a high level is 135 mg/dL.

Dr. Xuemei Huang, principal investigator for the study, says the results of this study warrant more research to confirm its findings. She would also like to see studies done on a larger number of people, including women and African-Americans.

Huang is medical director for the Movement Disorder Clinic at the University of North Carolina Hospitals and assistant professor of neurology at UNC’s School of Medicine. The details of the study were published in this week’s online edition of the journal, Movement Disorders.