Healthy RGV Issue 111- It's in Your Blood, What You Should Know About Hematology and Blood Disorders

HEALTHY KIDS · FEBRUARY 2018
WHERE DOES CHOLESTEROL
COME FROM?
We get some cholesterol from foods like
eggs, meats, dairy products. In the body, the
liver makes the cholesterol our body requires
to function properly.
UNDERSTANDING THE DIFFERENCE
BETWEEN GOOD AND BAD
CHOLESTEROL
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) are considered
bad cholesterol. These lipoproteins deliver
cholesterol to the body, but unfortunately,
some people’s bodies make too much bad
cholesterol because they eat diets high
in saturated fats, trans fats, and dietary
cholesterol.
HIGH CHOLESTEROL
AND YOUR CHILDREN
Did you know that high
cholesterol isn’t just
something adults have
to worry about? High
cholesterol levels are on
the rise in young children and teens.
You can safely assume that high
cholesterol will continue to plague
them well into adulthood. As you
can imagine, the risk of cholesterolrelated
health problems increase.
To help combat this phenomenon
you need to know the risks. Like
everyone, children’s bodies need
a little bit of cholesterol. Healthy
amounts of cholesterol protect
nerves, make cell tissues, and
produce hormones. Conversely, if
the body has too much cholesterol
then it can damage blood vessels.
Too much cholesterol can build up
along blood vessel walls and form
fatty deposits known as plaque.
For some children with poor diets,
that plaque can begin to form when
they’re very young. This most likely
occurs when they eat a poor diet for
a continued period of time.
As it does in adults, high cholesterol
levels increase your child’s risk of
stroke, heart disease, and other
cholesterol-related diseases. Heart
disease is the leading cause of death
for people in the United States.
These risks increase exponentially in
people who:
• Have diabetes
• Have poor eating habits
• Have a family history of heart
disease
• Smoke
• Don’t exercise
Good cholesterol, or as
they’re medically known,
high-density lipoproteins
(HDL) remove cholesterol
from the blood. A higher
level of HDL helps to protect
against heart disease.
Getting the recommended
amount of physical exercise
can increase the body’s
HDL cholesterol levels. The
combination of proper
exercise, eating well, and
avoiding trans fats can also
increase HDL levels in the
body.
WHEN TO TEST YOUR
CHILD FOR HIGH
CHOLESTEROL
Generally, a child doesn’t
need to be tested for high
cholesterol unless they have
the risk factors or there’s a
cause for concern. Children
with some ailments or
conditions should be tested.
For instance, a child living
with diabetes might do well
to have their levels checked.
Causes of high cholesterol
• Obesity
• Lack of exercise
• Family history of high
cholesterol
Tips to help prevent high
cholesterol in your child:
• Promote healthy eating.
Make sure your child has
five servings of fruits
and vegetables every
day.
• Serve low-fat proteins,
whole grains, and
vegetables with every
meal
• Avoid saturated and
trans fats
• Avoid fast-foods
• Encourage physical
activity
• Limit screen time
Remember the keys to
good health are a good,
clean diet, plenty of rest,
exercise, and understanding
your risk factors. Do not
give your child any overthe-counter
cholesterollowering
medications. Leave
that to the child’s doctor
to prescribe if necessary.
As always, If you have any
questions or concerns,
consult your child’s
pediatrician.
By Harold Levi
10 HEALTHY MAGAZINE