How do I lower high cholesterol in a=my 3.5 yr. old daughter?

Question

My 3 year old daughter was diagnosed with a cholesterol level of 202 recently. She doesn't eat too many sweets but does not like fruits and veggies either. She does like whole wheat breads and pasta and dairy products. Oatmeal, farina and Cheerios aresome of her favorite foods, but she also loves mac n' cheese. She is a very active little girl who gets plenty of exercise, sleep and water. What should I do to supplement her diet and lower her cholesterol. I feel very concerned about this.

Answer 1

A great question for the pediatrician.

Sounds like your daughter has a diet high in carbohydrates.

Do you know that a diet high in carbohydrates can affect triglyceride levels? Triglycerides are a fat that live in the blood. Carbs raise triglyceride levels and it is suspected that high levels of triglycerides contribute to elevated cholesterol.

I know two pregnant women who are on special diets now b/c their triglyceride levels are high; they've basically had to cut out bread, starches and most importantly, simple sugars.

Answer 2

First of all whoever diagnosed her should have let you know which lipids were high HDL which is the good cholesterol, LDL which is bad, and VLDL which is also bad. The fact that it is high should have caused concern for your pediatrician and he/she should plan a course of action for you to take. Whatever you do don't try and give her any sort of supplements without consulting the doctor first. Some vitamins and minerals can make a small child very sick if they are given too much. Changing her diet can help. Have her eat whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Foods that are high in saturated fats tend to have more cholesterol, like the butter that goes in mac and cheese, meat, and other animal byproducts. Cholesterol is also hereditary and is produced in the liver. She really needs to have a full check up there could be something seriously wrong. It wouldn't hurt for you to get a check up too to make sure that you don't have the same problem. You can't help her unless you're in good health too.

Answer 3

Natural Cholesterol Guide?

Answer 4

FamilyDoctor.org has a good list of healthy foods.
http://familydoctor.org/495.xml

Children under 10 years of age are not usually given medication for high cholesterol.

This is also important. If this was not done, you need to talk to your doctor:

"If your child's total cholesterol is 170 or higher, then your child's doctor will probably have your child fast for 12 hours and then repeat the test (called a fasting cholesterol). If your child's initial cholesterol level is greater than 200, then your child's doctor will order both a fasting cholesterol and a lipoprotein analysis (which would identify your child's HDL and LDL levels)."

See also:

C.S. Mott Children's Hospital
Cholesterol: Treating High Levels
http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/pa/pa_treatcho_hhg.htm

Answer 5

Find out what the cholesterol content is for the foods she does eat. Cut back on high cholesterol foods. Provide more fruits and veggies into her diet. She may not like the choices, but YOU'RE the mommy, not her. BTW...what's your cholesterol level? The apple doesn't fall far from the tree, or so the saying goes. Does she eat what you eat? If so, you may have a cholesterol problem too. It may be time for mommy and daughter (and anyone else in your family) to get "real" about what you put in your bodies.

I wish you Peace.

Answer 6

Is the pediatrician concerned? If they are not concerned then I would not worry. If you are still concerned have the test retaken in a couple of months.

Do you know what were her HDL and LDL levels? If these are at a good ratio then 202 may not be an issue.

As for diet - you can work veggies and fruits into breads and muffins - pumpkin bread, banana nut muffins, zucchini bread.

Look into the 'good' oils, Omega-3 to help - salmon, tuna and olive oil.

Good Luck

UPDATE: BE VERY CAREFUL GIVING HIGH DOSES OF VITAMINES TO CHILDREN SOME DOSES CAN BE FATAL IN KIDS. Just think that adult vitamines with iron can kill a child. Be very careful with doses and get a reputable practitioner to work with you if that is the way you want to go.

Answer 7

Cholesterol levels can be hereditary. Find out the relation of good to bad cholesterol. You do need to try to get her to eat fruit & veggies, too though. Have her pick them out at the store, or if you have a farmers market, that's even better. Let her try out new foods till she find some she likes.


Much Love!!

Answer 8

who diagnosed her? Whoever checked her cholesterol should have been very concerned and told you what to do to get it back to an average for her age. If they didnt, I suggest you march back in there and let them know that it is there job to tell you these things, and you shouldn't have to rely on message boards like this for the answer.

If shes active and she doesnt eat too much junk, then it must be some medical thing. I know for adults there is medication you can take, but I dont think that would be appropriate for a 3 year old. Your doctor would know...and if he doesnt, get a new doctor.

Answer 9

Niacin, Vitamin B and Vitamin C are proven to lower cholesterol.

Do an experiment:
-> For 2 months, every day takey high dosage Vitamin C, Vitamin B, and E, and drink a lot of water.
(2000-3000 mg of each every single morning...and maybe 50mg of niacin)

Or if you don't like vitamins:
-> switch your child diet around to include high levels of fruits and vegetables (citrus, carrots, spinach), which contain the same vitamins

-> Return to your doctor, and ask for a test

Your cholesterol rating should drop substantially!

Answer 10

Well you need to stop feeding her so much pasta and try to avoid junk food ... of course it will be hard for you daughter to get used to it ... but if you want her to be alive for the next couple of years... then you as a parent need to take charge even if your child cries and trows tantrums...You know its for her own good...

Try to make if fun for her.... sit with her and eat what she is eating make it sound good....

Take her favorite foods that you know are bad .....away from her
Slowly....try NOT to cook them so often.....

Also go to her Doctor and ask him for a list of proper foods to feed her that will help her lower her cholesterol

I hear garlic helps reduce high cholesterol.....BUT of course kids don't like that stuff... maybe you sneak it in...or there are pills made from garlic...try the odor free garlic pills