7PM - How the first signs of heart disease can be detected in children as young as FIVE, study reveals

  • This is essentially because they were not getting enough of the vitamin D 
  • The vitamin is produced by the body when it is exposed to sunlight
  • Canadian researchers say they have found a significant association between 'bad' cholesterol and levels of vitamin D in children aged 1-5
  • (LDL) cholesterol is called 'bad' cholesterol as it is artery-clogging

By Madlen Davies for MailOnline

Published: 13:00 EST, 15 July 2015 | Updated: 02:30 EST, 16 July 2015

Initial indications of heart disease can be detected in children as young as five, new research shows

Initial indications of heart disease can be detected in children as young as five, new research shows

The first signs of heart disease and problems with circulation can be detected in children as young as five, new research suggests.

This is essentially because they were not getting enough of the vitamin D, which is produced by the body when it is exposed to sunlight, scientists say.

The disease is normally seen in adults and is caused by lifestyle factors such as smoking, unhealthy diets, high blood pressure, being overweight or obese, failing to exercise and diabetes.

Heart disease, which kills an estimated 7.4 million people a year according to the World Organisation occurs when the heart's blood supply is blocked or interrupted.

This happens because of a build-up of fatty substances in the coronary arteries which, over time, become furred up with fatty deposits.

A diet high in cholesterol, found in animal products like meat, milk and eggs, is a risk factor for heart disease as it is among the fatty substances that build up in the arteries.

This furring of the arteries can trigger heart attacks and strokes.

Now Canadian researchers say they have found a statistically significant association between 'bad' cholesterol and levels of vitamin D in children aged one to five.

Low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is called 'bad' cholesterol as it is artery-clogging.

Another form, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) is known as 'good' cholesterol as it works to clear the bad form of the substance from the blood.

Previous research has linked low vitamin D levels in adults to cardiovascular disease, as well as other health issues such as obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes.

The new study examined vitamin D levels in children obtained through milk and the total cholesterol level in their blood, a marker of cardiovascular health..

The results found a 'statistically significant association' between higher vitamin D levels and lower total cholesterol.

This was even after taking into account factors such as Body Mass Index (BMI), consumption of cow's milk and levels of physical activity. 

This is essentially because they were not getting enough of the vitamin D, which is produced by the body when it is exposed to sunlight, the Canadian scientists say

This is essentially because they were not getting enough of the vitamin D, which is produced by the body when it is exposed to sunlight, the Canadian scientists say

Dr Jonathan Maguire, a paediatrician from St. Michael's Hospital, affiliated with the University of Toronto, said: 'Maybe the factors that lead to cardiovascular disease start in early childhood.

'If vitamin D is associated with cholesterol in early childhood, this may provide an opportunity for early life interventions to reduce cardiovascular risk.'

The study took blood samples from 1,961 children ages one to five attending well-child visits.

All were enrolled in the Applied Research Group for Kids (TARGet Kids!), collaboration between children's doctors and researchers from St Michael's Hospital and The Hospital for Sick Children.

The programme follows children from birth with the aim of preventing common problems in the early years and understanding their impact on health and disease later in life.

Children in the study had an average intake of 452ml of cow's milk daily intake of 452 millilitres - the main dietary source of vitamin D - and 56 per cent of them regularly consumed a vitamin D supplement.

The research was published in the journal PLOS ONE. 


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