High cholesterol runs in families and can lead to cardiovascular disease in both adults and children. As a parent, it can be troubling to learn that your child has high cholesterol.

Fortunately, there are steps that you can take to lower their cholesterol levels and improve their overall health. Here are some tips for lowering your child’s cholesterol levels:.

1. Make Healthy Dietary Changes

The first step in lowering your child’s cholesterol levels is to make healthy dietary changes. Incorporate more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy into their diet.

Limit saturated fats, trans fats, and cholesterol in their diet.

2. Encourage Exercise and Physical Activity

Regular physical activity can help lower cholesterol levels. Encourage your child to participate in activities they enjoy such as sports, hiking, swimming or biking.

Also, limit their sedentary activities such as watching TV, playing video games or using their device for long periods.

3. Cook Healthy Foods at Home

Cooking healthy meals at home can provide your child with a diet full of nutrients they need. Monitor portion sizes, prepare meals using healthy oils and herbs, and leave behind processed foods, snacks, and fast food.

4. Monitor Food Labels

Check food labels when shopping to monitor calorie and nutrient intake and avoid products that are high in saturated fats and cholesterol. This way, you’d better choose foods marked with low-fat, low-sodium, and whole grain labels.

5. Schedule Regular Doctor Visits

Schedule regular doctor visits and have your child’s cholesterol levels checked at least once a year. Ensure that their vaccinations are checked and whole health screens are dealt with.

6. Avoid Smoking and Limit Alcohol

Smoking increases your child’s risk of developing heart disease and raises their cholesterol levels. Similarly, alcohol intake can raise cholesterol levels, leading to cardiovascular disease.

So, avoiding smoking and limiting your child’s exposure to alcohol helps lower cholesterol levels.

7. Medication as a Last Resort

If changing your child’s diet and lifestyle isn’t enough, they may require medication. More likely, hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins) are prescribed to lower cholesterol.

If prescribed, be sure to discuss side effects, risks with the doctor, and regularly check your child’s cholesterol levels.

8. Encourage healthy snacking

Encourage your child to snack on healthy foods like fruits, veggies, and nuts instead of high-calorie processed snacks. You can also make fruit smoothies, popsicles or healthy snack bars at home for a quick and easy snack.

9. Set a good example

Always remember that your child looks up to you. If you’re living an unhealthy lifestyle, it will be harder to encourage your child to make healthy choices.

Be an excellent role model by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and healthy eating practices at home and elsewhere.