Treatments For High Triglyceride Levels
If you have high triglycerides, your doctor’s treatment should include healthy eating and exercise. Avoiding processed and sugary foods is paramount these dietary changes alone can have a tremendous impact on your triglyceride levels. Your doctor may also recommend taking omega 3 fatty acid supplements.
Begin today. Talk to your doctor or other health care provider about exactly what you need to do to start living a healthy lifestyle to lower triglycerides, help prevent a heart attack or stroke, avoid or manage diabetes, and reduce your chances of developing liver disease and pancreatitis.
Baked Beans With Sugar Or Pork Added
Beans have fiber and other nutrients going for them. But if they’re made with sugar or pork, they may not be the best choice. The label on the can should say what’s in there, and how much sugar and fat you’re getting. Switch to black beans, which are a great source of fiber and protein, without saturated fats or added sugar.
What Can Happen To Me If I Have High Triglycerides
High triglycerides can increase your risk of cardiovascular disease, including stroke, heart attack and heart disease.
A high triglyceride level is one of the signs of metabolic syndrome. This is a collection of health conditions that increase your risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
An extremely high triglyceride level can cause inflammation of the pancreas, the organ in your abdomen that produces insulin.
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Choose Healthy Fats Over Saturated Fats
Another way to lower triglycerides and cholesterol naturally is by eating healthy fats. Omega-3 fatty acids lower triglycerides and bad cholesterol by increasing fat metabolism, according to the AHA. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in oily fish, such as salmon and herring, olive oil, and dietary supplements. For people with high triglycerides, the AHA recommends prescription-strength omega-3 fatty acid supplements at a dose of 4 grams per day, although its still best to get it from foods. Saturated fats, which come mainly from meat sources, should be limited to no more than 5 to 6 percent of your total daily calories, and your daily intake of cholesterol should be no more than 300 mg, according to the AHA.
Can Eggs Increase Your Cholesterol Levels
Yes, egg intake can have a minimal impact on your cholesterol levels. However, eggs alone will likely not significantly increase the risk of heart disease down the road. Its time to give eggs a break , says Jess DeGore, RD, CDCES.
While eggs are high in cholesterol, more recent research shows they may not increase cholesterol levels as much as originally thought. Its actually saturated fat that is in butter, red meat and certain oils that is thought to be more of the culprit in increasing cholesterol. However, everyone is an individual, and those with certain risk factors such as diabetes or heart disease may be more sensitive to dietary cholesterols effects, says Melissa Mitri, M.S., RD, of Melissa Mitri Nutrition.
Rather than focus on just one food, experts agree that you should focus on an overall healthy diet pattern for cholesterol management.
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Possible New Treatment For High Triglycerides
In the report in The New England Journal of Medicine, an international team of researchers describe a new therapy for high triglycerides. It involves a weekly injection of “antisense oligonucleotides” , pieces of DNA that short-circuit the livers production of triglycerides. The new report shows that ASOs can reduce triglyceride levels by as much as 70%.
Keep in mind that this was a phase 2 trial, which is designed to test whether a drug does what it is supposed to do . Larger, longer-term studies will be needed to see whether ASOs actually reduce the risk of heart disease, and what sorts of side effects they cause.
Many experimental medications that sparkle in early testing never become FDA-approved drugs. We wont know for several years whether ASOs will become available for individuals with high triglycerides.
Refined Grains And Starchy Foods
Refined or processed grains are typically made from white flour, which can increase triglycerides. They also often have added sugars. If possible, try to limit:
- Enriched or bleached white bread, wheat bread, or pasta
- Pastries, pies, cookies, and cakes
Starchy foods can also raise triglycerides. Try to choose foods with 100% whole grains and opt for long-grain rice instead of instant rice. If possible, eat non-starchy vegetables such as spinach, instead of starchy ones like potatoes.
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What Can You Do To Lower High Triglyceride Levels
Because your body can get triglycerides from the food you eat, it makes sense that changing your diet can help if youre concerned with your triglyceride levels. In general, according to Ash, its important to reduce your intake of refined flour, processed and packaged foods that contain trans fats, high fructose corn syrup, and excess carbs and sugars that are bad news for your health.
One key nutrient to keep in mind is fat. According to Ash, switching out the types of fat you eat can make a huge difference. Trans fats and polyunsaturated fats, like the fat in canola oil, are going to be the biggest offenders because they burden the liver, which is going to manufacture more triglycerides in order to make more LDL. So what were eating and how were supporting the liver is really whats going to matter when it comes to triglycerides, she says.
That said, fat is only one factor to consider when it comes to food. Specific to food, fat itself is often not the culprit, says registered dietitian Amanda Archibald, founder of The Genomic Kitchen. Excess calories from alcohol or starchy/sugary foods are often more complicit in producing high triglycerides.
If your doctor has told you your triglyceride levels are on the high side, its worth asking them what foods to avoid and what lifestyle changes could help. Chances are, youll want to exercise more and go easy on trans fats and simple carbs.
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What Do Low Triglyceride Levels Indicate And Can They Be Too Low
In general, having low triglyceride levels is not considered a problem. If your triglyceride levels are less than 150mg/dL, you have a lower risk of cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attack or stroke.
However, if your triglyceride levels are extremely low and less than 40mg/dL, then you may have a medical condition or disease, such as liver problems or inflammation. Your risk of dying from heart failure is also higher if triglycerides are too low.
Other causes of very low triglyceride levels include:
- Very low-fat diets
- Certain rare genetic conditions that affect how your body converts fat to energy
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Diagnosis Of High Triglycerides
If you suspect your triglycerides may be high, your doctor can order a lipid panel which will measure your levels, as well as check your cholesterol, LDL and HDL levels. Generally, triglyceride levels are considered normal if they are below 150 milligrams per deciliter . Elevated triglyceride levels fall anywhere between 200 mg/dL and 499 mg/dL, and very high triglyceride levels are 500 mg/dL or above.
Q: What Causes High Triglycerides
A: Some risk factors for hightriglycerides are beyond your control. Those include a family history of highcholesterol, certain medical conditions such as kidney disease, and somemedications. However, certain lifestyle factors can raise triglyceride levels,and those factors are in your control.
- Lifestyle-related risk factors forhigh triglycerides include:
- Beingoverweight or obese
- Consistentlyeating more calories than you burn
- Drinkingan excessive amount of alcohol
- Eatingfoods high in sugar and simple carbohydrates, such as baked goods and bread
- Havinga sedentary lifestyle
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Medications For High Triglycerides
If diet, exercise, and other lifestyle changes are not sufficiently reducing your triglycerides or your doctor feels your numbers are too high to address the problem with lifestyle interventions alone, they may recommend medication. Some common drugs prescribed to lower triglycerides include:
Statins Statins are appropriate as a cornerstone treatment for moderate to severely high triglyceride levels, according to the AHA/ACC guideline. These prescription drugs help prevent cholesterol from forming in the liver, lower LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, and raise HDL cholesterol, notes the AHA.
Omega-3 fatty acids These essential nutrients are found in fish, flaxseed, and other foods and in fish oil supplements, according to the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements . The three main omega-3 fatty acids are alpha-linolenic acid , which is mainly found in plant oils, such as flaxseed and canola, and eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid , which are found in fish and other seafood.
According to the ODS, many studies have shown that eating fish and seafood rich in omega-3s may help you keep your heart healthy and reduce your risk of heart disease. And boosting your EPA and DHA intake through foods and supplements can help lower your triglycerides.
What Are Normal And High Triglyceride Levels
The National Cholesterol Education Program sets guidelines for triglyceride levels:
- Normal levels: Less than 150 milligrams per deciliter
- Borderline high:150 to 199
- High: 200 to 499
- Very high: 500 or more
Elevated levels may lead to heart disease, especially in people with low levels of good cholesterol and high levels of bad cholesterol. The same is true if you have type 2 diabetes.
Experts once debated how important triglycerides are, but it now seems clear that higher levels are linked to problems such as heart disease.
One thing is clear, though: A good diet and exercise plan can lower triglyceride levels, improve cholesterol, and decrease the chance of heart disease.
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What To Do If Your Triglyceride Level Is 300
- Be physically active for 30-60 minutes 5x/week.
- Lose weight by reducing your calorie intake.
- Avoid refined carbs and limit added sugars to < 25g/day.
- Limit alcohol consumption to < 1-2 drinks per day.
- Eat healthier fats like those found in nuts, seeds, avocados, olive oil, and salmon.
- Avoid trans fats and limit saturated fat to < 10% of total calories.
Fats: Choose The Right Ones
The body needs fats to function correctly, but some fats are more healthful than others. Choosing healthful fats may help reduce triglyceride levels.
Solid fats come from meat, full-fat dairy products, and some tropical oils, such as coconut and palm oil. These foods contain trans fats and saturated fats.
Trans fats and saturated fats raise triglyceride levels, so people should try to replace them wherever possible.
Unsaturated fats, especially polyunsaturated fats , can help lower triglyceride levels. Avocados and olive oil contain monounsaturated fats, also a healthful choice.
Omega-3 fats are present in cod liver oil, flaxseeds, and cold-water fish, such as salmon and sardines. People can add PUFAs to their diet by eating these foods.
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Causes Of High Triglycerides
In many cases, habitual overeating causes high triglycerides. Occasionally, the trigger is an underlying condition such as:
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Some types of liver disease
- Some types of kidney disease
- Some genetic disorders, including the inherited disease familial hypertriglyceridemia and familial combined hyperlipidemia .
What Are Risk Factors For High Triglycerides
Factors that may raise triglyceride levels include:
- Excessive alcohol use.
- American Academy of Family Physicians. High Cholesterol. Accessed 11/182/2021.
- American Heart Association. Cholesterol. Accessed 11/18/2021.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Getting Your Cholesterol Checked. Accessed 11/18/2021.
- Hormone Health Network. Triglycerides. Accessed 11/18/2021.
- MedlinePlus. Triglycerides Test. Accessed 11/18/2021.
- Merck Manual Consumer Version. Overview of Cholesterol and Lipid Fats. Accessed 11/18/2021.
- National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. High Blood Triglycerides. Accessed 11/18/2021.
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Signs Of Very High Triglycerides
Triglycerides are fats that circulate in your blood. When you eat fatty foods, most of the fats are in the form of triglycerides. When you eat too many calories, the extra calories are converted to triglycerides and stored away inside your body’s fat cells.
Most people find out they have high or very high triglycerides from a blood test. Triglycerides are checked along with total cholesterol, good cholesterol , and bad cholesterol . These are all lipids and the combined blood test is called a lipid profile.
One reason it’s important to have a lipid profile is that there are usually no symptoms associated with high cholesterol or high triglycerides, a condition called hyperlipidemia. You could have very high triglycerides and not know it.
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.
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Know Your Triglyceride Numbers
A blood test called a lipid panel checks both your triglyceride and cholesterol levels. Usually, your doctor will ask that you fast, or not eat or drink anything other than water, for 9-12 hours before the test. Youâll get blood taken from a vein in your arm. Some labs offer non-fasting lipid panels, or they may prick your finger for blood.
Here are the levels, based on a fastingblood test.
- Normal: Less than 150 mg/dL
- Borderline: 150 to 199 mg/dL
- High: 200 to 499 mg/dL
- Very High: 500 mg/dL or above
Anyone over age 20 needs to get regular tests to track their cholesterol and triglyceride levels, according to the American Heart Association.
Why The Test Is Performed
Triglycerides are usually measured together with other blood fats. Often it is done to help determine your risk of developing heart disease. A high triglyceride level may lead to atherosclerosis, which increases your risk for heart attack and stroke.
A very high triglyceride level may also cause swelling of your pancreas .
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Your Metabolic Health Might Improve
Among adults who have overweight or obesity, certain types of IF helped them decrease their body weight by 5% and lose fat, as well as lower bad LDL and total cholesterol, triglycerides, fasting glucose and insulin and blood pressure, according to a large umbrella 2021 review in JAMA Network Open. Only certain types of IF lead to these benefits, including 5:2 and modified alternate-day fasting .
In the end, IF may be a bona fide treatment for diabetes and fatty liver disease, say the authors. The only catch was that people were most successful with IF in the first one to six months. After that, people didnt lose any more weight, in part because they may have trouble following the diet long-term.
Your Appetite May Change Later
While the beginning may be tough, over time you may notice that you can handle the fasts better and/or are satisfied with less food when you do eat. “Some studies show that time-restricted eating may lower ghrelin levels, which is the hormone that signifies feelings of hunger in the body,” says Poillon. In addition, she says, leptin levels may also increase leptin is a hormone that tells the body when it is full. In the end, with lower ghrelin and higher leptin, you may naturally eat less rather than struggling with hunger.
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What Causes Levels To Fluctuate
Triglyceride levels fluctuate naturally in response to many factors, including calorie intake and time of day. Eating a meal can cause an increase in triglycerides, which the body may store to use later when it needs energy.
These fluctuations are typically short-lived, but they are part of the reason why doctors may ask a person to fast before getting a lipid profile blood test.
Some health conditions may increase the risk of higher triglyceride levels. According to the
- hormone medications
- immunosuppressant drugs
Anyone who is uncertain about the side effects of their specific medication should speak with their doctor.
A person can use a few treatments to help lower their triglyceride levels.
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Pathologies Linked To High Triglycerides
When it comes to the consequences of high triglycerides, special attention should be paid. This condition can be followed by various cardiovascular diseases, even potentially fatal: the reference is in particular toheart attack and tostroke, which can be favored by the deterioration of the health of the arteries and other blood vessels.
The effects on blood pressure should also not be underestimated , to the development of the condition known as fat liver, to the manifestation of high levels of glycemia even on an empty stomach and also with the increase in the values of bad LDL cholesterol.
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