High cholesterol can certainly be genetic, and in some people it isoccur at an early age. Although your child can't do anything about their genetics, they can make lifestyle choices to lower the high levels. If this is not enough, researchers say medication could also be an option.
Lifestyle and high cholesterol
Cholesterol is a waxy substance found in the fats or lipids in the blood. It is also transported by the blood bound to proteins. Medicine calls this combination of proteins and cholesterol lipoprotein. You may have heard of different types of cholesterol. These are based primarily on the type of cholesterol, which also contains lipoprotein.
Low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, is sometimes called bad cholesterol. It transports such particles throughout the body. LDL cholesterol accumulates on the walls of the arteries, making them hard and narrow. High density lipoprotein or HDL is considered good cholesterol. It absorbs excess cholesterol and transports it back to the liver.
While the body needs some cholesterol to build healthy cells, too much of it can increase the risk of heart disease. High cholesterol, especially high LDL levels, can lead to the formation of fatty deposits in blood vessels. Ultimately, these deposits can make it difficult for blood to flow through the arteries. When this happens, the heart may not receive as much oxygen-rich blood as it needs. This increases the risk of a heart attack. If blood flow to the brain is impaired, it can lead to a stroke.
Countermeasures at an early age
High cholesterol has a tendency to run in families, and genetics play a role in a person's risk of developing high cholesterol. For example, the genetic modification may prevent cells from effectively removing LDL cholesterol from the blood or prevent the liver from producing too much cholesterol.
When a young person has high cholesterol, such as a child, they usually need to make lifestyle changes to lower their cholesterol levels. Regular exercise and healthy eating, as well as maintaining a normal weight, can go a long way in controlling cholesterol levels. It is usually the case that a child is already active in sports during their childhood years. However, it should continue these activities, aiming to get at least 30 minutes of exercise daily. Parents should also limit the time their children spend in front of computers, tablets, televisions and phones.
A healthy diet also plays a crucial role. For this reason, working with a nutritionist can be very useful for families with children. A nutritionist can assess your child's eating habits and recommend changes. This would be this for exampleAvoiding processed foods, which contain large amounts of saturated fats and sugar. The expert in this field can also offer ideas for healthy eating habits and recipes for the whole family.
In some cases, lifestyle changes may not be enough to keep cholesterol in check. Therefore, medication is sometimes necessary to lower cholesterol to healthy levels.
