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Can LDL Be Too Low?

Reducing Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol is one of the most effective ways physicians have found to reduce the risk of cardio-vascular disease. LDL, the so-called bad cholesterol, builds heart attack producing plaque in your arteries, and high levels have been shown to reduce your risk of all sorts of heart conditions. LDL cholesterol can be too high. But can it be too low?

  1. Acute Illness

    • Doctors don't do blood tests for cholesterol after a patient has had an acute illness, heart attack or severe physical stress. They make a practice of waiting at least 6 weeks after the event. But severe illness is not the only reason for low LDL cholesterol readings.

    Parkinson's

    • New studies have shown that people with low LDL cholesterol levels are more likely to contract Parkinson's disease than individuals with high levels. Parkinson's patients also have fewer heart attacks and strokes, possibly due to the low LDLs. What scientists don't know is whether the lowered cholesterol comes before or after Parkinson's onset. Do statins have a role in protecting against Parkinson's? Studies are on-going.

    Cancer

    • Early research, published in the July 31, 2007 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (ACC) has indicated that low LDL cholesterol levels are associated with increased risk factors for cancer. The findings are still not conclusive and further studies are needed.

    Statin Therapy Risks--Cancer?

    • Researchers in the ACC study also found a risk for patients taking cholesterol-lowering statins. Patients who achieved low LDL levels showed a higher risk factor for cancer.

    Statin Therapy Risks -- Parkinson's?

    • There are questions about whether statin therapy might also increase the risk for Parkinson's as well.

    Research Questions

    • With Americans adopting low cholesterol diets and using cholesterol-reducing drugs in ever-greater numbers in order to reduce cardio-vascular risk factors, researchers are conducting studies to search for other potential consequences of low blood levels of LDLs.

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