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Eating Plan To Lower Triglycerides

High Triglycerides Diet: Guidelines And Meal Plans

Lowering Triglycerides – Mayo Clinic

Disclaimer: Results are not guaranteed*** and may vary from person to person***.

When it comes to heart health, a lot of what we hear about focuses on cholesterol and how that can affect your health. What often gets forgotten, however, is high triglycerides. There is plenty of evidence to show that high triglycerides levels can be a significantly bad thing for your hearts health. In this article, we will take a look at what exactly are high triglycerides levels, which foods to add to your high triglycerides diet, which foods to avoid, and even a high triglycerides diet plan to start you on your way to better heart health. Think of this as a beginners guide to everything about high triglycerides.

Eat More Medium Chain Triglycerides

Yes, you read that correctly. To improve health and triglyceride levels, you should consume more triglycerides. But make sure they are the medium-chain kind of triglyceride.

MCTs are different from the long chain triglycerides that we commonly find in dairy and meat because they skip the normal process of fat digestion and go straight to the liver. In the liver, the MCTs are often converted into ketones for fuel.

For this reason, many studies have found MCTs to increase weight loss when compared to other healthy fats like olive oil. Believe it or not, MCTs also have been found to decrease triglycerides more than olive oil as well.

Coconut oil is the best natural source of MCTs . However, if you need an unmistakable energy boost that eliminates your cravings right away, then supplement with pure MCT oil. Blend it into your morning coffee or keto pumpkin spice latte or use it as the oil for your salad dressings.

Eat Fatty Fish Twice Weekly

Fatty fish is well known for its benefits on heart health and ability to lower blood triglycerides.

This is mostly due to its content of omega-3 fatty acids, a type of polyunsaturated fatty acid that is considered essential, meaning you need to get it through your diet.

Both the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and American Heart Association recommend eating two servings of fatty fish per week to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke .

Whats more, one study showed that eating salmon twice a week significantly decreased blood triglyceride concentration .

Salmon, herring, sardines, tuna, and mackerel are a few types of fish that are especially high in omega-3 fatty acids.

Summary

Fatty fish is high in omega-3 fatty acids. Eating two servings per week may lower triglyceride levels and decrease the risk of heart disease.

Also Check: Do Potatoes Cause High Cholesterol

Eating For Lower Cholesterol

Healthy eating can make a huge difference to your cholesterol levels and your heart health, whether your cholesterol has crept up over the years or you have a genetic condition. It will improve your health in other ways too, helping to lower your blood pressure, prevent diabetes and maintain a healthy weight.

How Do Foods Affect Triglyceride Levels

Lower Triglycerides Diet Plan

Eating foods high in simple sugars significantly contributes to high triglyceride levels. Follow these guidelines to limit simple sugars in your diet:

  • Substitute beverages like colas, fruit drinks, iced tea, lemonade, Hi-C and Kool-Aid with artificially sweetened beverages labeled sugar-free or diet.
  • Limit hard candies, chocolates, candy bars, and gummy bears.
  • Avoid adding table sugar and brown sugar to cereal, drinks or foods. Instead, use an artificial or herbal sweetener or nothing at all!
  • Choose sugar-free gum or mints instead of the regular versions.
  • Try light or low-sugar syrups on pancakes and waffles.
  • Spread breads and crackers with no-sugar-added jelly or preserves.
  • Snack on whole fruit instead of fruit roll-ups and other fruit-flavored treats.
  • When selecting cereals, choose those with no more than 8 grams of sugar per serving.
  • Try sugar-free gelatin, popsicles, yogurts, and puddings instead of the regular versions.
  • Be aware that desserts labeled fat-free usually contain more sugar than the full-fat varieties and the same number of calories.
  • Cut back on or avoid eating sweets and dessert foods, including cookies, cakes, pastries, pies, ice cream, frozen yogurt, sherbet, gelato, and flavored ices. All of these foods contain high levels of sugar.
  • Read the ingredients list on food labels, and limit foods that list any of the following words in the first few ingredients:

Natural sugars, when eaten in excess, can also raise your triglyceride level.

Read Also: What Is A Normal Cholesterol Level For A Diabetic

Include Nuts In Your Diet

Nuts provide a concentrated dose of fiber and healthy fats, which work together to lower blood triglycerides.

An analysis of 61 studies on the effects that nuts have on our health showed that each serving of tree nuts decreased triglycerides by 2.2 mg/dL. Other epidemiological studies found that you will get the greatest health benefits if you consume between 37 servings of nuts per week.

Here are some nutty recipes you can try to get more nuts in your diet:

Food Items You Can Easily Consume To Lower Triglyceride

  • Legumes : Legumes like beans, peas and lentils can help lower LDL levels and are a good source of plant-based protein.
  • Nuts, Especially Almonds and Walnuts : Nuts also contain protein. They’re particularly rich in L-arginine, an amino acid that helps make nitric oxide. This, in turn, helps regulate blood pressure
  • Fatty Fish : Fatty fish contain high levels of omega-3 fatty acids and have been linked to a decreased risk of heart disease and stroke.
  • Whole Grains, Especially Oats and Barley : Oats: They contain beta-glucan, a type of soluble fiber that helps lower cholesterol. Barley: Is also rich in beta-glucans and can help lower LDL cholesterol.
  • Fruits and Berries : Fruit also contains bioactive compounds that help prevent heart disease and other chronic diseases due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Eating berries and grapes, which are particularly rich sources of these plant compounds, can help increase HDL cholesterol and lower LDL cholesterol.
  • Dark Chocolate and Cocoa : Flavonoids in dark chocolate and cocoa can help lower blood pressure and LDL cholesterol while raising HDL cholesterol.
  • Garlic : Garlic contains allicin and other plant compounds, which may help lower LDL cholesterol and reduce other heart disease risk factors.
  • Soy Foods : There is some evidence that soy foods can reduce heart disease risk factors, especially in people with high cholesterol.
  • Recommended Reading: How Would You Know If You Have High Cholesterol

    Why Lowering Your Triglycerides Matter

    Lower triglyceride levels are one of the many indicators for better health, while high triglycerides are associated with several health conditions, including the following:

    It may be worrisome at first because of all issues that are associated with high triglyceride levels, but it is nothing to go to the hospital over. As with other biomarkers, your blood triglyceride results should only be interpreted along with a multitude of other validated measures for an accurate assessment of your overall health.

    Our triglyceride levels do, however, provide us with important clues. The relatively strong association between triglycerides, blood sugar, cholesterol, and many of the conditions listed above give us a clearer picture of what causes high triglyceride levels and how to optimize them.

    All25 Foods To Lower Triglycerides Are

    Diet to Lower Triglycerides

    Oat- Oats are consist of fibers. Fiber rich foods take time to digest, so this will prevent spike of blood sugar levels, that minimize release of triglycerides and develop an essential triglycerides diet.

    Cauliflower- contains fibers and it has less carbs. Hence, this can be added to your diet.

    Blueberries- Blueberries rich in fiber and antioxidants. It contains less sugar. You can prepare yoghurt or oatmeal smoothie and use it as topping.

    Spinach- is rich in vitamins and its known as to lower triglycerides. you can make it in egg omlette, stews and salads preparation.

    Bananas are good source of minerals and potassium. It will fulfil your sugar cravings.

    Strawberries- the nutritional value of strawberries will lower the triglycerides.

    Broccoli this will surely lower triglycerides. you can simply roast it and add to your diet plan.

    Cabbage- it comes under cruciferous vegetables and is a good source of vitamin K. you can add it with any vegetables.

    Salmon- it contains omega3 fats. It is a good source of protein and easily able to lower triglycerides.

    Sardines- its full of omega3, fatty acids, proteins and calcium.

    Olive oil- it has healthy fat and antioxidants. You can add it with salad or vegetables.

    Beans and legumes are excellent sources of protein and fiber. You can have it regularly.

    Avocado- Avocado is rich in fat and fiber. It has the capacity of manage the blood sugar level and lower triglycerides.

    Kale- you can add kale in soup and vegetables.

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    Increased Risk Of Heart Disease

    Medical science consistently demonstrates that people with higher triglycerides have a higher risk of heart disease. That is not surprising since high triglycerides are also correlated with other cardiac risk factors such as insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and more atherogenic small LDL particles.49

    Observational studies demonstrate the risk of a heart attack triples for those with triglycerides above 265 mg/dL compared to those with lower levels.50

    Another study reports an increased risk for statin-treated patients when their triglycerides were above 175 mg/dL .51

    Studies comparing the impact of elevated triglycerides on cardiovascular risk suggest it may be equally or more important than high LDL cholesterol.

    One study shows genetic mutations that lower triglycerides have an equal benefit for reducing heart disease risk as those that lower LDL.52

    Other studies report elevated triglycerides and triglyceride-to-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio are associated with smaller LDL particles and a more advanced coronary disease, whereas elevated LDL cholesterol show no significant correlation.53

    Most recently, an evaluation of the PREDIMED trial demonstrates that triglycerides above 150 mg/dL and remnant cholesterol ) have greater predictive power for heart disease risk than does LDL.54

    In fact, many trials show no improvement in the risk of heart disease or death.

    Could triglyceride-lowering lifestyles have a greater impact than medications?

    Lunches To Reduce Your Risk Of Heart Attack

    Here are some flavorful lunches you can pack, and a few you may even be able to buy.

    Soup & Salad

    1 cup vegetable, black bean, or lentil soup

    5 whole-wheat crackers

    2 cups salad made with dark greens, like spinach, mixed greens, or radicchio

    1 cup of any combo of colorful, chopped veggies: broccoli, carrots, red bell peppers, sugar snap peas, snow peas, tomatoes

    1 cup fruits: apples, grapes, kumquats, pears

    1 Tbsp salad dressing made with olive oil or canola oil

    Sandwich With Double Crunch

    2 slices whole-wheat bread or 1 hamburger bun

    2 oz tuna

    Dill pickle relish or sugar-free sweet pickle relish

    Top with thin slices of apple or pear for crunch

    Add this crunchy side:

    Finger Salad

    1 cup veggies like baby carrots, grape tomatoes, and red pepper strips mixed with fruit such as apple, grapes, or pear

    Chinese Delight

    1 cup veggie stir-fry with 2 oz shrimp, chicken, or tofu

    1/2 cup whole-wheat pasta or rice

    1 cup pineapple chunks

    2 oz grilled chicken breast on whole-grain sandwich

    1 cup side salad

    1 piece of fresh fruit

    Also Check: How To Lower High Cholesterol Fast

    High Triglycerides Diet Food List

    Maintaining normal triglyceride levels in the bloodstream is critical. Regardless, many people do not know the role triglycerides play in the body or even what they are.

    Lifestyle changes and diet are the two leading causes of high triglycerides in the body. Others are certain medications and genetics.

    Experts in nutrition and health say that changing your lifestyle, and what you eat can lower triglycerides.

    We have compiled a list of triglyceride-lowering foods, many of them being whole nutrient-dense foods.

    The Best Diet For Lowering Triglycerides: A Mediterranean

    Understand the difference of a triglyceride lowering diet and a high ...

    Throughout the research on lowering triglycerides, two trends emerge. The first is that limiting carbohydrates and increasing fat consumption leads to lower triglyceride levels. The second is that polyunsaturated fats decrease triglycerides more than any other fat.

    If we combine these two trends together, we come out with a Mediterranean-style ketogenic diet that restricts carbohydrates more than any other diet and places emphasis on omega-3 rich fish like sardines and salmon and polyunsaturated fat rich nuts and olive oil.

    The Mediterranean-style Ketogenic Diet will also provide a healthier amount of vegetables, fiber, and protein than a typical Americans diet, which further improves triglyceride levels.

    Not sure what a Mediterranean-style Ketogenic meal would look like? Here are some delicious examples:

    Or have a can of sardines on a delicious Oven Roasted Caprese Salad.

    Read Also: What To Avoid When Having High Cholesterol

    How To Lower Cholesterol And Triglycerides

    Triglycerides are a type of lipid, or fat, your body produces to store extra calories and provide energy. Cholesterol is another lipid that circulates in your blood. Your body uses cholesterol to build cells and produce hormones.

    Both triglycerides and cholesterol are essential for your health but having levels that are too high puts your health at risk. Living a healthy lifestyle helps to keep your cholesterol and triglyceride levels within a normal range.

    This article covers how triglycerides and cholesterol affect your health and how you can lower them naturally.

    Luis Alvarez / Getty Images

    Ask Your Doctor About Natural Supplements

    Several natural supplements could have the potential to lower blood triglycerides. Always speak with your doctor before starting any supplements, as they can interact with other medications.

    Note especially that the Food and Drug Administration does not regulate supplements in the same way as it regulates pharmaceuticals, and supplement quality can vary widely.

    Below are a few of the main supplements that have been studied:

    • Fish oil. Well known for its potent effects on heart health, fish oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to decrease triglycerides and several other risk factors for heart disease (

    Summary

    Several supplements have been studied for their ability to lower triglyceride levels, including fish oil, fenugreek, garlic extract, guggul, and curcumin.

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    Why Do You Have High Triglycerides

    However, one big problem arises if we live in westernized societies there is an over abundance of food at all time. If you are reading this right now, you probably live in an area where many different varieties of food are always available. In this kind of food environment, our emotional and instinctual desires override all logical sense, so most of us eat more calories and carbohydrates than we need.

    In response to this influx in calories, the cells become stuffed with so much energy that they reject the signal to take more energy in that they receive from insulin . This is otherwise known as insulin resistance, and this causes a cascade of hormonal changes that increase blood sugar and triglyceride levels.

    On top of that, carbohydrate consumption stimulates hepatic lipogenesis independent of insulin signaling.

    What all of this means is that eating excess calories increases your chances of having high triglycerides levels and eating excess carbohydrates increases triglyceride levels, especially if those carbohydrates are coming from fructose and other processed sugars.

    Hold on. What about the fat?

    We are talking about triglycerides a type of fat. How could I talk about calories and carbohydrates and neglect to mention fat as a contributor to high triglyceride levels as well? Well, there is a good reason for that.

    Some People May Respond Best To A Low

    Lower TRIGLYCERIDES Quickly (Simple Steps) 2022

    For those with severely elevated triglycerides , there is a case for low-fat diets being equally good if not better than low carb in some situations.

    One study finds that those with triglycerides below 400 mg/dL respond best to low-carb diets, but those with triglycerides greater than 400 mg/dL respond best to low-fat diets.24

    However, case reports document a decrease in severely elevated triglycerides with low-carb, high-fat diets.25

    Its important to understand the cause of elevated triglycerides, as that may impact the proposed dietary treatment. If someone has a genetic cause, such as familial chylomicronemia or lipoprotein lipase deficiency, a low-fat diet may be more effective.26

    Aside from these extreme examples, there is no evidence to support a low-fat diet as being better than a low-carb diet for reducing elevated triglycerides.

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    A Weekly Diet To Lower Triglycerides

    Written by

    30 May, 2022

    Planning a healthy diet is an essential to lower triglycerides. Your body uses this lipid as a source of energy. It tends to build up in your arteries, increasing your risk of suffering from serious cardiovascular diseases.

    This disorder is known in medical terms as hypertriglyceridemia. It usually occurs due to problems your body might suffer from. Some of these are being overweight, obesity, alcohol use and Type II diabetes.

    Its not a direct cause, but a diet rich in fat and calories can cause complications for this condition. Therefore, in addition to medical treatments, you need to improve your eating habits and control them.

    In this article, well give you a weekly diet model. This will help to lower your triglycerides naturally and safely thanks to its combination of different foods.

    Dont hesitate to give it a try!

    Will A Keto Diet Lower Triglycerides And Cholesterol

    No, keto diets have been shown to increase cholesterol levels. The Mediterranean diet, however, has been shown to lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of cardiac events.

    The Mediterranean diet promotes eating vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and healthy fats daily eating fish, poultry, beans, and eggs weekly reducing portions of dairy and limiting red meat.

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    Busy Lifestyles Are The Most Common Reasons For High Cholesterol And Triglyceride Levels

    If you are like me and like to pack your day full of activities or if you are simply trying to balance a work and home life, watching your diet is often the last thing on your mind.

    Therefore, making a healthy meal for yourself and even the family is often impossible. Processed and other fast foods are often high in the fats associated with increasing cholesterol and triglycerides.

    To try and tackle this problem, I have started doing a simple menu plan. That is deciding for the week what foods will best suit my cholesterol and triglyceride lowering diet and ensuring I have the ingredients ready to go.

    The idea of creating a menu plan is, the days you know you are going to be pressed for time you and organise a simple meal that is still healthy. The meals that require more preparation or cooking time, I save for the days I know I can commit the time.

    • Day one Poached salmon, new potatoes and carrots
    • Day two Pasta with tomato and basil sauce
    • Day three Vegetable curry with rice
    • Day four Chicken salad
    • Day five Mackerel, rice and poached eggs

    The weekend I would leave to chance, although I do treat myself to a small Chinese takeaway and a half-a-glass of red wine on a Saturday evening.

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