Encyclopedia of Diets - A Guide to Health and Nutrition

Prevention

While there is no proven way to prevent hyper-

activity, early identification can prevent the develop-

ment of ADHD and other developmental disorders.

Resources

BOOKS

Heller, Rachael F., Heller, Richard F.Carbohydrate-

Addicted Kids: Help Your Child or Teen Break Free of

Junk Food and Sugar Cravings— for Life!.New York,

NY: Harper Paperbacks, 1998.

Landau, E.Sugar.New York, NY: Children’s Press (CT),

2000.

O’Dell, N. E.Stopping Hyperactivity: A New Solution.New

York, NY: Avery Publishing Group, 1997.

Parker, H. C.The A.D.D. Hyperactivity Workbook for

Parents, Teachers, and Kids.Chicago, IL: Specialty

Press/A.D.D. Warehouse, 1999.

ORGANIZATIONS

Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA). 15000

Commerce Parkway, Suite C, Mount Laurel, NJ 08054.

856-439-9099.<www.add.org>.

Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity

Disorder. 8181 Professional Place, Suite 150, Landover,

MD 20785. 301-306-7070.<www.chadd.org>.

Food and Drug Administration, Center for Food Safety and

Applied Nutrition. 5100 Paint Branch Parkway, Col-

lege Park, MD 20740-3835. 1-888-SAFEFOOD (1-888-

723-3663).<vm.cfsan.fda.gov>.

Monique Laberge, Ph.D.

Hyperlipidemia

Definition

Hyperlipidemia, also known as hyperlipoprotei-

nemia or dyslipidemia, is an elevation of lipid levels

(fats) in the bloodstream. These lipids include choles-

terol, cholesterol compounds, phospholipids andtri-

glycerides, all carried in the blood as part of large

molecules called lipoproteins.

Description

Hyperlipidemia affects the way lipids are pro-

duced, used, carried in the blood, or disposed of by

the body. There are three types of hyperlipidemias:

Hyperlipoproteinemia: elevated levels of lipopro-

teins in the blood;

Hypercholesterolemia: high cholesterol levels in the

blood;

Hypertriglyceridemia: high triglyceride levels in the

blood.

It has been shown that people with a hyperlipidemia

disorder are more likely to develop heart disease. For

example, the normal body makes enough cholesterol for

its needs. But when there is too much cholesterol, it

accumulates in arteries, which can lead to their narrow-

ing (atherosclerosis) and to heart disease or stroke.

The lipoproteins present in blood plasma that

transport lipids belong to the following major groups:

Very high–density lipoprotein (VHDL). VHDL consists

of proteins and a high concentration of free fatty acids.

High–density lipoprotein (HDL). HDL helps

remove fat from the body by binding with it in the

bloodstream and carrying it back to the liver for

excretion in the bile and disposal. A high level of

HDL may lower chances of developing heart disease

or stroke.

Intermediate–density lipoprotein (IDL). IDLs are

formed during the degradation of very–low–density

lipoproteins; some are cleared rapidly into the liver

and some are broken down to low–density

lipoproteins.

Cholesterol levels

Able to control

What you eat. Certain foods have types of fat that raise your cholesterol

level.

• Saturated fat raises your low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol level
  more than anything else in your diet.


• Trans fatty acids (trans fats) are made when vegetable oil is
  hydrogenated to harden it. Trans fatty acids raise cholesterol levels.


• Cholesterol is found in foods that come from animal sources, for
  example, egg yolks, meat, and cheese.
  Weight. Being overweight tends to increase your LDL level, lower your
  high-density lipoprotein (HDL) level, and increase your total cholesterol
  level.
  Activity level. Lack of regular exercise can lead to weight gain, which could
  raise your LDL cholesterol level. Regular exercise can help you lose weight
  and lower your LDL level. It can also help you raise your HDL level.
  Unable to control
  Heredity. High blood cholesterol can run in families. An inherited genetic
  condition (familial hypercholesterolemia) results in very high LDL
  cholesterol levels. It begins at birth, and may result in a heart attack at an
  early age.
  Age and sex. Starting at puberty, men have lower levels of HDL than
  women. As women and men get older, their LDL cholesterol levels
  rise. Younger women have lower LDL cholesterol levels than men,
  but after age 55, women have higher levels than men.
  SOURCE: National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National
  Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human
  Services

(Illustration by GGS Information Services/Thomson Gale.)

Hyperlipidemia