Weekly
Healthy Advice From VÄXA
Children's
Cholesterol Levels Drawing Concern
Monitoring
your child's cholesterol levels seems like a farfetched concept.
According the American Academy of Pediatrics, however, children
age 8 and above who have a low density lipoprotein (LDL) reading
of 190mg/dL. and higher should be placed on cholesterol lowering
medication, or statin therapy. Also alarming is the fact that
pediatricians are beginning to test children's LDL or "bad"
cholesterol levels earlier when children have risk factors
such as obesity or a genetic history of heart disease.
Cholesterol is a lipid, waxy substance that is essential to
the body, but when it builds up it can prevent blood flow
and result in atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory response
in artery walls that can lead to cardiovascular disease. Cholesterol
is classified in two categories: good cholesterol or HDL (high
density lipoproteins), and bad cholesterol or low density
lipoprotein (LDL). Together the two levels combine to make
up your overall cholesterol level. High levels of good cholesterol
can actually prevent heart attacks, whereas low levels can
possibly lead to a heart attack. Bad cholesterol, or LDL,
is the substance that causes the build up in the inner walls
of the arteries.
If your child has a genetic background of heart disease, some
of the following actions should be taken:
- Ask
your child's pediatrician to test cholesterol levels,
so you know early on exactly where your child's levels
are at.
- If
the levels are high, or you are concerned that they may
be but have not had them tested, you can interject cholesterol
lowering foods into their diets. Certain cereals and even
oatmeal have shown to have positive effects on lowering
cholesterol levels.
- Exercise
should be a part of every child's life, but with video
games and the internet, sometimes exercise gets lost in
the mix. Encouraging exercise-related play, and participating
with your children in these activities, can help to keep
levels low, or lower already high levels.
One
of the main concerns for parents of children that have high
cholesterol levels is whether or not their children will have
to remain on cholesterol lowering medications throughout their
lives. Studies have not been done on the long-term effects
of continuous cholesterol medication therapy, so this is a
very justifiable concern. Using some of the recommendations
above can help to lower levels or to maintain already acceptable
levels.
Heart disease is such a prevalent condition in this country
that doctors believe the earlier it can be treated, the more
likely it will be that heart disease related deaths can be
lowered. While a very small percentage of children do have
high cholesterol levels, doctors feel that taking early steps
to try and control levels in those children that are at high
risk can only have a positive effect.
Along with diet and exercise, other natural steps can be added
that will help to manage cholesterol levels.
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