Adolescents and Cholesterol
Cholesterol, a waxy substance, can be found in different parts of an adolescent's body. It plays a vital role in the production of vitamin D, cell membranes, and hormones. The liver produces enough cholesterol to meet the body's needs. However, blood cholesterol comes from two sources: the liver and food.
Cholesterol travels in the bloodstream as lipoproteins, which are round particles. There are two types of lipoproteins: low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and high-density lipoproteins (HDL). LDL is known as "bad" cholesterol because it can cause the buildup of plaque in arteries, leading to a condition called atherosclerosis. To avoid this, LDL levels should be kept low by maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, and avoiding foods high in calories, dietary cholesterol, and saturated fat.
HDL, or "good" cholesterol, is a type of fat in the blood that helps remove bad cholesterol from the body and prevent plaque buildup in the arteries. The more HDL in the blood, the better. To increase HDL levels, regular exercise for at least twenty minutes a day, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding foods with saturated fat are recommended. In some cases, medication may be necessary to increase HDL levels, and a physician can create a therapeutic plan for this purpose.
Cholesterol screening is important to determine an adolescent's cholesterol and fat levels. High levels of cholesterol increase the risk of heart disease, which can affect the blood vessels and coronary arteries. Obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, a family history of high cholesterol levels, and consuming junk food and diets high in fat and cholesterol are the main causes of high cholesterol levels in adolescents.
Healthy LDL levels should be less than 130 milligrams, while HDL levels should be greater than 35 milligrams. An adolescent with an HDL level lower than 35 milligrams is at a higher risk of developing heart disease, while LDL levels higher than 130 milligrams are dangerous. A significant number of Americans have high LDL cholesterol levels, and the number of adolescents with a family history of high cholesterol levels is expected to increase.
Adolescents with a family history of high cholesterol levels and heart disease at an early age should start taking cholesterol tests from the age of two. Obese adolescents should also have a lipid test along with a cholesterol test to check levels of different types of fats in their blood, such as triglycerides, LDL, and HDL. Maintaining healthy cholesterol levels is an excellent way to prevent high blood pressure and coronary artery disease.
Post a Comment