In a recent news announcement, the American Academy of Pediatrics now recommends statin drugs for some children as young as 8 years of age. To me this is very alarming as a parent and a doctor of chiropractic.
Statin use is indicated when cholesterol is high and diet and exercise are not working. It is also suggested to start children on the medicine if there is a family history of heart disease. The World-Herald staffer who reported the story declared, “For some children, statins could be their best hope.”
Let's hope not.
Chiropractic is a drug free health approach that focuses on wellness. So it concerns me that the “just say no to drugs” slogan geared to children is upstaged by a message that there is a drug answer to common childhood problems such as hyperactivity, shyness and now dietary mismanagement.
Since the reporter noted prescribing statins to children is a last resort, it still has an underlying message that good health is difficult to obtain. Before we start believing we have little hope of enjoying life, we need to understand why diet and exercise are not working.
In the spirit of “just say no to drugs,” we need to follow up with, “just say no to convenience foods.” Having an abundance of cheap, attractive and addictive processed foods has a negative effect on the neurological and cognitive development in our children's brains. Heart disease is the least of our worries when learning disorders, depression and hopelessness accompany them throughout life.
Also, exercise won't work when the diet is poor. Without solid nutritional fueling, children aren't active because they barely have the energy to digest what they eat and maintain basic bodily functions. Without energy a child will not have the desire to play outdoors and ride a bike.
A typical statin drug costs about $110 for a month's supply. That can buy a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables. Luckily, most insurance plans cover prescriptions with co-pays of $15-20. But, insurance companies probably won't cover statins for children calling it experimental. With the American Academy of Pediatrics making this announcement, insurance companies might come on board, but is this logical?
As a natural health practitioner, I hate to knock other industries such as food and pharmaceutical companies. After all, they are only looking to stay in business just like any other enterprise. McDonald's was fit to be tied when the movie “Super Size Me” came out. Its public relations representatives released statements that they never encouraged patrons to eat fast food every day. They relied on the age old wisdom that the customer makes the final choice. They are right, of course. We decide how to take care of ourselves and our children.
As a chiropractor, I am not a heart specialist, but I am a specialist in the development of the nervous system, which is responsible for the survival of all the other organs in the body. For a healthy heart you need your nervous system to be just as healthy. Parents can “say yes to a healthy foundation” by getting their children under chiropractic care and implementing sensible health habits.
Lisa Ann Homic, M.Ed. D.C., may be contacted at www.DrHomic.com
Let's hope not.
Chiropractic is a drug free health approach that focuses on wellness. So it concerns me that the “just say no to drugs” slogan geared to children is upstaged by a message that there is a drug answer to common childhood problems such as hyperactivity, shyness and now dietary mismanagement.
Since the reporter noted prescribing statins to children is a last resort, it still has an underlying message that good health is difficult to obtain. Before we start believing we have little hope of enjoying life, we need to understand why diet and exercise are not working.
In the spirit of “just say no to drugs,” we need to follow up with, “just say no to convenience foods.” Having an abundance of cheap, attractive and addictive processed foods has a negative effect on the neurological and cognitive development in our children's brains. Heart disease is the least of our worries when learning disorders, depression and hopelessness accompany them throughout life.
Also, exercise won't work when the diet is poor. Without solid nutritional fueling, children aren't active because they barely have the energy to digest what they eat and maintain basic bodily functions. Without energy a child will not have the desire to play outdoors and ride a bike.
A typical statin drug costs about $110 for a month's supply. That can buy a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables. Luckily, most insurance plans cover prescriptions with co-pays of $15-20. But, insurance companies probably won't cover statins for children calling it experimental. With the American Academy of Pediatrics making this announcement, insurance companies might come on board, but is this logical?
As a natural health practitioner, I hate to knock other industries such as food and pharmaceutical companies. After all, they are only looking to stay in business just like any other enterprise. McDonald's was fit to be tied when the movie “Super Size Me” came out. Its public relations representatives released statements that they never encouraged patrons to eat fast food every day. They relied on the age old wisdom that the customer makes the final choice. They are right, of course. We decide how to take care of ourselves and our children.
As a chiropractor, I am not a heart specialist, but I am a specialist in the development of the nervous system, which is responsible for the survival of all the other organs in the body. For a healthy heart you need your nervous system to be just as healthy. Parents can “say yes to a healthy foundation” by getting their children under chiropractic care and implementing sensible health habits.
Lisa Ann Homic, M.Ed. D.C., may be contacted at www.DrHomic.com
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