Health-Tips-And-Info

by Meng

There are raising cases of children with high cholesterol, we take a look at what it and what can be done

What is high cholesterol ? High cholesterol as the name suggested, meant that there is an high level of cholesterol then normal in the blood. Factors that can contribute to high cholesterol include, lifestyle, diet, genetic and diseases. This condition can lead to heart attack, stroke and other vascular related disorder. The excessive cholesterol will eventually coat the arteries wall with as a layer of sticky plaque that will narrowed the blood vessels. This can slowed or even slowed the blood flow to heart, brain and other organs.

Why have cholesterol? Cholesterol is made naturally in our bodies and is used to create hormones and cells. It is also found in all animal products that we eat, such as fish, eggs, and dairy products. You cannot survive without cholesterol, but you need to make sure that your different cholesterol levels are in balance. Too much of one type or too little of another can put you at an increased risk for heart disease.

Children’s cholesterol Children cholesterol level are measured differently from that of an adult. For age 2 to 19 years old, total cholesterol level should be under 170 with LDL cholesterol below 100. Total cholesterol at 170 to 200 and LDL between 100 and 130 is considered borderline risk. For children with cholesterol of more then 200 level and LDL level of more then 130 are considered high risk, more so for girls with HDL levels of under 50 and boys at levels below 45. Children with LDL levels over 100 will most likely be treated for high cholesterol especially if they have a family history of heart problems, more so if the child have previous heart problems.

Do we really need to treat the children? YES! From the following 2 perspective that I will be discussing. Firstly, LDL builds up in the artery no matter what you age is, so the plaque build up can start even if they are young as long as they have high LDL cholesterol. These will lead to bigger problem in adulthood as cholesterol tend to build up from spots of sticky plaque within the arteries. Most importantly, we can cultivate good dietary and exercise habit with children from young which is a life long protection against high cholesterol.

Treatment for high cholesterol For most children, dietary changes are the primary treatment for high cholesterol. Making these changes can improve your child’s overall health as well as the health of the rest of your family. Limit fat intake to under 30% of the calories eaten in a day. Keep calorie counts between 1500 and 2400 calories per day, depending on your child’s age and activity levels. Cut back on saturated fats whenever possible, choosing lean meats, low fat dairy products, and healthier cooking oils. Do not limit fat entirely. Increase fiber intake to 25-30 grams per day by including whole grains, cereals and vegetables into the diet. Avoid sugary foods as much as possible, particularly nutrient-void foods like candy and sodas.

Other ways to keep down cholesterol levels Your child will be more successful if the entire family participates in the program. Children learn by example, and this will also prevent them from feeling “singled out”. Make foods appealing and try to eat at home as much as possible. Allow kids to participate in meal planning and encourage physical activities. Above all, be realistic. It is next to impossible to avoid the temptation of sugary sweets or a day of video games 100% of the time. By keeping all things in moderation your child can be happy and healthy.

About the Author:

I wrote a book on how I’ve lower my high cholesterol level from 301 to normal in 60 days.. All by naturally means without medications. The book is “How to Lower Cholesterol Naturally”. You can visit my site at How to Lower Cholesterol Naturally

by JB Anthony

The fatty substance or lipid found in animal fat and animal tissue is known as cholesterol. Contrary to common knowledge, not all kinds of cholesterol are harmful. When taken moderately, foods with good cholesterol can help the body perform various vital functions like aiding in fat digestion, building and maintaining cell membranes, hormone synthesis, and manufacturing Vitamin D. Since they are important to the body, we will only have to lower cholesterol naturally, so we do not have too much or too less of it.

Our body produces dietary cholesterol, but we also get them from the food we eat such as dairy products, eggs, and meat. The body can manufacture two types of cholesterol-LDL, the bad cholesterol, and HDL, the good cholesterol.

Having too much cholesterol in our body can lead to our veins and arteries being clogged up, and we will be in danger of contracting health problems like obesity and cardiovascular ailments.

- Bring Out the Ashtray

Cigarettes and cigarette smoke are dangerous to one’s health, more so to those people who already have high levels of cholesterol. Cigarette and its smoke contain compounds that can oxidize cholesterol, which is dangerous. Smokers will need more antioxidants like B Complex vitamins nicotinic acid and nicotinamide to reduce their cravings for nicotine. It can not only lower cholesterol naturally, but it can also save your lungs from cancer.

- Diet Watch

We get cholesterol from food so of course, we need to watch our diet and the food we eat.

Most doctors and nutritionists would recommend five servings of fruits and vegetables everyday, or a diet of 2/3 fruits and vegetables and 1/3 of all others. These fat-free alternatives are better for your health than processed snacks are.

Foods that help lower LDL and increase HDL levels at the same time are almonds, avocados, beans, chili peppers, fish, flax seed, garlic, oat bran, olive oil, onions, shiitake mushrooms.

- Exercise

The benefits of exercising are not just one or two, but several health benefits. Exercise is a no-cost solution to almost every problem like stress, depression, and obesity. Exercise promotes good health and physical fitness, which contributes a lot to keeping anyone in tune with the events of every day life.

Daily exercise for a few minutes daily can already increase high-density lipoprotein levels (HDL) in your body. HDLs are known as good cholesterol. Along with a raised HDL level, you metabolic rate also increases, which makes you lose weight and shed off all those extra cholesterol.

- Try Red Yeast Rice

Statin drugs from yeast rice are already made by pharmaceutical companies. Why not take it in its natural, chemical-free state. Red yeast rice stops cholesterol reaction from moving forward, slowing it down until it lowers.

If you want to lower cholesterol naturally, you will have to be prepared for a lot of hard work and discipline. Even if you take prescription drugs, you will still need to be proactive to aid the process. You might as well do it the cheap and healthier way as mentioned above. Doctors, physicians, and nutritionists can help you in this area.

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Know the best tips on how to lower cholesterol naturally. Find the best diet to lower cholesterol in 60 days.

by JB Anthony

Knowing the foods that lower cholesterol will do you a lot of good. It’s good to know what foods to avoid and what to stock up on. Health should be a primary concern, so you should be careful of the food you eat, since they affect you. With the rise of more processed food full of unsaturated fat, it is no wonder that more people have high cholesterol levels. This could lead to health problems.

One step to lowering cholesterol level is to make sure you are avoiding foods that have high cholesterol content. The following are three examples of foods that can help you in your quest to lower cholesterol levels.

- Almonds, Walnuts, and More

Almonds and walnuts are full of polyunsaturated fatty acids that keep the blood vessels elastic and healthy. Eating them for a period of four weeks will greatly improve your health. Instead of cheese or meat that are full of unsaturated fat in your salads, use nuts instead. However, since nuts are rich in calories, you have to be careful not to go overboard.

- Fish and Omega-3 Fatty Acids

To lower blood pressure and decrease risk of blood clots, take foods that have high omega-3 fatty acid contents. People who are suffering from heart attacks can also find that omega-3 fatty acids or fish oil can reduce the risk of sudden death.

Two servings of fish a week is recommended by doctors. You can eat baked or grilled albacore tuna, herring, lake trout, mackerel, salmon, and sardines.

Omega-3 fatty acids are also found in other foods. You can get them from canola oil, flaxseed, soybean oil, and walnuts, too.

- Oat Bran and Oatmeal

Oat bran and oatmeal contain soluble fiber that can lower low density lipoprotein (LDL), which is a bad type of cholesterol. Soluble fiber reduces the absorption of cholesterol in the intestines and binds bile and dietary cholesterol for the body to excrete later.

Apples, barley, Brussels sprouts, kidney beans, pears, prunes, and psyllium are foods that also have soluble fiber.

Foods that lower cholesterol are good for you, but you do not have to take too much of them, lest you develop other ailments. While some of them do reduce the levels of cholesterol in your body, they can also increase the fat, like nuts and other types of oil.

Before you subject yourself to a different diet than the one you are used to, consult a doctor first. Medical opinion is always important, if ever anything goes wrong or if your new diet won’t work on you.

It you plan to take foods that lower cholesterol, make sure your body can handle the change. Do not starve yourself and do not deprive yourself of most foods just because they contain a few fats. Moderation is key.

About the Author:

Read your guide to foods that lower cholesterol. Try the best diet to lower cholesterol naturally.

by JB Anthony

You do not have to spend too much just to reduce your cholesterol levels. There are cost-effective and less strenuous ways to go on a diet to lower cholesterol.

- Pasta, potatoes, and whole grains are complex carbohydrates that are good sources of energy without the negative effects of fats. However, baked goods that have been commercially prepared to be watched out for since then can contain hydrogenated fats and saturated fats like coconut or palm oils.

- Eat more fish. Have at least two servings per week. Fish like albacore tuna, herring, lake trout, mackerel, and salmon contain omega-3 fatty acids, a certain type of oil that can lower levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or bad cholesterol.

- Go for vegetables. Try taking 20 to 30 grams of dietary fiber or fruits and vegetables every day. Soluble fiber is present in apples, barley, brown rice, carrots, legumes, oats, and strawberries, to name a few. Soluble fiber can lower blood cholesterol levels.

- High sodium intake is not healthy. Majority of the people who have high cholesterol levels also suffer from high blood pressure. This ailment can be aggravated with the intake of food rich in sodium or table salt, and processed food. Even antacids, cough remedies, and laxatives contain sodium. If you must take these medications, read their labels first and determine if there are more than 300 mg of sodium per serving. Avoid using those that exceed the limit. Salt can be replaced by herbs and spices.

- As much as possible, avoid too much alcohol and sugar. Both do not give the nutrients you will need, but they do contain many calories. They not only increase cholesterol levels, but they can also lead to gastrointestinal problems and diabetes.

- You can still go for meat even if you are on a diet to lower cholesterol. But you do have to choose them carefully. Meats are commonly graded by their fat content as Choice, Good, or Prime. Prime grades have the most fat. You can also check the marbling, or the threads of white fat present through a cut of meat. The greater the marbling, the more fat. If you want to be more precise, avoid meat with more than three grams of fat per ounce.

Drop unhealthy lifestyles and habits like smoking and drinking. These vices can increase your risk of heart diseases and higher cholesterol levels. However, doing exercise, especially aerobic exercise, for at least 30 minutes for three times a week can lower your cholesterol and strengthen your body.

Going on a diet to lower cholesterol alone may not be enough solution. Even if you change your eating patterns but remain physically inactive, you will not feel the changes you are hoping for.

About the Author:

Find the best diet to lower cholesterol. Know how to lower cholesterol naturally before it’s too late!

by JB Anthony

Unless you’re a vegetarian, most of the foods that you’re eating are probably high in cholesterol, saturated fats, and calories. Unknown to you, you may have already exceeded your daily cholesterol intake if you are not careful with your diet.

Unknown to us, foods that are known to be nutritious may also have its setbacks. Did you know that while dairy products like milk and cheese are good sources of calcium, they also have a lot of cholesterol?

- Dairy Products

Some of the dairy products that are actually foods high in cholesterol and saturated fats. These dairy products would include milk, cheese, ice cream, and yogurt. However, these also foods also contain other nutrients necessary for a balanced diet. Fortunately, there are low fat and nonfat dairy products available for people who do not want the extra cholesterol.

You can get cheeses that are fat free, low fat, part skim, or reduced fat. Basically, choose cheese that has 3 grams or less of fat per ounce. If you want soft cheeses, try getting the low fat (one percent) or nonfat cottage cheese, farmer cheese, or light ricotta or part skim. Additionally, watch out for cheese that have too much sodium in them.

You can also choose skimmed milk or one percent milk instead of whole or two percent milk. The latter are just as nutritious and rich in calcium as whole milk, but with less fat and cholesterol.

- Eggs

If you have high cholesterol already, avoid egg yolk. It contains around 213 milligrams of dietary cholesterol. If you cannot avoid eating egg yolks, then at least limit your intake to two per week. The limit extends to the yolks in baked and processed goods. Before buying or eating these types of food, check their labels and see how much cholesterol it has or if it uses whole eggs.

As mentioned, egg whites have no cholesterol in them. You can even use two egg whites to substitute one whole egg.

- Fats and Oils

By their names alone, you can tell that fats and oils pack cholesterol and calories. But that does not mean that they are completely bad for your health. With substitutes and a limit to the total fats and oil intake, you can continue to enjoy your meals.

There are vegetable oils you can use instead of those full of unsaturated fats. Choose canola, sunflower, corn, soybean, olive, sesame, peanut, and safflower oils instead. For margarine, go for the soft tub or the liquid kind. Salad dressings and mayonnaise also come in light or nonfat kinds.

Minimize using butter, fatback, lard, and solid shortenings because these are high in fat and cholesterol.

Though it may be true that most of what we eat are foods high in cholesterol, it does not necessarily mean that we have to drastically change our diet. We can continue to enjoy our meals but we do have to be careful and vigilant of what we take in. The labels on the containers of the food you buy are there for a reason. Check them and see if you are going to be eating too much calories, fat, or cholesterol. You do not have to avoid them, but you can eat them in moderation.

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Stay away from foods high in cholesterol. Start your new diet to lower cholesterol now!