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Did you know that it was the UK’s first National Cholesterol Week last week (13-19 September, 2010) run by the organisation H.E.A.R.T. UK, the cholesterol charity, and supported by the likes of MP’s such as Halton MP Derek Twigg who publicly had his cholesterol checked in this week – not only for his own health – but to raise awareness and support a national drive for better heart awareness. Did you know there was an all party parliamentary group on heart disease? Neither did I but they support this initiative.

Heart disease is the biggest killer in the UK, so any support in getting the message out so we can all be aware of our cholesterol levels, and take preventative measures to avoid the risk factors which lead to high cholesterol – and the consequential probability of heart disease – is fantastic.

We only have one body – and one heart – and so we need to respect this, by being aware of what goes into our body, and the consequences of poor diet, low exercise levels, and inadequate supplementation (in today’s over processed world, gm crops and food additives, some essential minerals or vitamins may be lacking). Small changes can have great consequences, so start looking at prevention. And if you already suffer with high cholesterol, there are supplements and diet changes which can have a beneficial effect on lowering it. Any supplement which contains essential fatty acids – omega’s 3 or 6 – will be a st art on prevention or mitigation. We have all heard of cod liver oil, or primrose oil, but high concentrations are also found in flax seed, which can be used to dress salads or as an oil to cook with, or I bet you might not have heard of chia seed oil – the highest plant source of Omega 3. Or even green tea! Green tea Lowers LDL cholesterol, levels of lipid peroxides, and a fibrinogen – a blood protein which assists in the formation of blood clots.

So, be aware of your heart, and be pro-active in keeping it healthy. We are all masters of our own destinies – make yours a healthy and long-lived one. And if anyone out there has their own story relating to heart health, please feel free to comment on this and add your own experiences.

One of the substances in anyone’s body, including teenagers, is a waxy substance called cholesterol. This substance is used by the body to manufacture cell membranes, certain hormones and vitamin D. There are two sources of cholesterol in the blood: food and the liver. An adolescent’s liver produces sufficient cholesterol for proper bodily function.
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Blood carries cholesterol, transporting it throughout the body in the form of round particles called lipoproteins. Two types of lipoproteins exist, low density lipoproteins (LDL) and high density lipoproteins (HDL). LDL cholesterol is often referred to as “bad cholesterol.” It builds up as plaque on arterial walls, a condition called atherosclerosis. The LDL levels in the blood should be low, and if it is high it is important to lower it. A healthy weight should be maintained and the person should exercise regularly. In addition, foods that are high in dietary cholesterol, saturated fats and calories should be avoided.

HDL cholesterol is commonly referred to as “good cholesterol”. HDL is a form of fat in the blood which helps remove LDL from the body and deters the accumulation of plaque in the arteries. The higher the level of HDL in the blood, the better off the person will be. HDL levels can be increased by exercising for at least twenty minutes every day, avoiding foods with saturated fats, and decreasing body mass. Some adolescents might need to take medication to increase their HDL level. Increasing HDL in this manner can be complicated, but the teen’s physician can develop a planned therapy to raise his or her HDL.

The blood’s fat and cholesterol levels can be ascertained through cholesterol screening. The days of young children and adolescents with normal cholesterol levels are unfortunately a thing of the past. Changing lifestyles and the trend toward eating junk food has greatly increased the likelihood of children and adolescents developing high cholesterol levels. This in turn also increases their risk of developing cardiovascular disease affecting the coronary arteries and other blood vessels. The primary reasons for this change are adolescent obesity, eating junk foods and fast foods that contain high amounts of fat, a sedentary lifestyle and high cholesterol levels in the family history. Maintaining normal blood cholesterol levels is an effective way to prevent coronary artery disease as well as high blood pressure.

Blood cholesterol levels vary from person to person. A healthy LDL level is lower than 130 milligrams, and a healthy HDL level is greater than 35 milligrams. If an adolescent’s HDL is below 35, he or she has an increased probability of developing heart disease. Similarly, an LDL above 135 milligrams is also dangerous. However, high LDL levels are common among Americans. And in adolescents who have a family history of high cholesterol, high cholesterol is even more likely.
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A child or adolescent with a parent who has high blood cholesterol levels and a family history of early-onset cardiovascular disease should have his or her cholesterol tested beginning at the age of two. Obese adolescents should not only have their cholesterol tested, but should have a blood lipids test performed as well. This test analyzes the quantities of different fats in the blood, including LDL, HDL and triglycerides.