Triglycerides: Why do they matter?

Triglycerides are an important measure of heart health. Here's why triglycerides matter and what to do if your triglycerides are too high.
If you've been keeping an eye on your blood pressure and cholesterol levels, there's something else you might need to monitor: your triglycerides. Having a high level of triglycerides, a type of fat (lipid) in your blood, can increase your risk of heart disease. However, the same lifestyle choices that promote overall health can help lower your triglycerides, too.

What are triglycerides?

Triglycerides are a type of lipid found in your blood. When you eat, your body converts any calories it doesn't need to use right away into triglycerides. The triglycerides are stored in your fat cells. Later, hormones release triglycerides for energy between meals. If you regularly eat more calories than you burn, particularly "easy" calories like carbohydrates and fats, you may have high triglycerides (hypertriglyceridemia).

What's considered normal?

A simple blood test can reveal whether your triglycerides fall into a healthy range.

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Normal Less than 150 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), or less than 1.7 millimoles per L (mmol/L) Borderline high 150 to 199 mg/dL (1.8 to 2.2 mmol/L) High 200 to 499 mg/dL (2.3 to 5.6 mmol/L) Very high 500 mg/dL or above (5.7 mmol/L or above) The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends that a triglyceride level of 100 mg/dL (1.3 mmol/L) or lower is considered "optimal." The AHA says this optimal level would improve your heart health. However, the AHA doesn't recommend drug treatment to reach this level. Instead, for those trying to lower their triglycerides to this level, lifestyle changes such as diet, weight loss and physical activity are encouraged. That's because triglycerides usually respond well to dietary and lifestyle changes. Your doctor will usually check for high triglycerides as part of a cholesterol test (sometimes called a lipid panel or lipid profile). You'll have to fast for nine to 12 hours before blood can be drawn for an accurate triglyceride measurement.

What's the difference between triglycerides and cholesterol?

Triglycerides and cholesterol are separate types of lipids that circulate in your blood. Triglycerides store unused calories and provide your body with energy, and cholesterol is used to build cells and certain hormones. Because triglycerides and cholesterol can't dissolve in blood, they circulate throughout your body with the help of proteins that transport the lipids (lipoproteins).
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Diet to lower triglycerides An increase in triglyceride levels can be caused by being overweight, by the natural aging process, due to certain kinds of medication, because of kidney or liver disease and due to hypothyroidism or diabetes. It is somewhat debated if high triglyceride levels in themselves are bad, but what usually makes them harmful is the fact that they are accompanied by low HDL levels. The triglyceride/HDL level ratio can be a predictor of heart disease.

High triglyceride levels may also carry a higher risk of stroke. All in all it is a sensible idea to keep your triglyceride levels within normal ranges as a precautionary measure. Here are some natural remedies to reduce triglyceride levels:

Switch to whole grain and high fiber foods. Check up the low glycemic index diet. It is a way of eating in which one tries to eat foods that increase blood sugar levels slowly without causing sudden peaks or falls. Wherever possible avoid eating refined and processed foods. Try and use natural sugar substitutes such as stevia or splenda instead of sugar. Cut down on sugary beverages. Whenever you feel like eating something sweet, eat some fruit with its skin instead.

Cut down on your fat intake. Your fat intake should ideally not exceed 20% of the calories you eat in a day. Going to the other extreme and completely cutting fat out of your diet is also not recommended. Maintaining a balance between Omega 6 and Omega 3 fats is necessary. You get plenty of Omega 6 fats from most foods, but Omega 3 fats are available is select foods and unless you get plenty of sea food it may be a good idea to supplement with fish oil or flax seed oil. Cut transfats out of your diet as much as you can. Please read labels before buying food and don't buy stuff that contain transfats or hydrogenated oils. Getting plenty of fresh vegetables and some amount of moderately sweet fruit will help fill you up. You can take a bowl of salad with every meal.Avoid fatty dressings like mayonnaise. Use vinaigrette or lemon juice based dressings instead. Incorporate some exercise into your daily routine. About 45 minutes of brisk walking is ideal. Wherever possible, sit instead of reclining and walk instead of driving down. Exercise is an essential component of any health program. By eating the right kind of food and getting some exercise you may start seeing weight loss over a period of 3 months or so. The weight loss will also help lower triglycerides.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Information on Tryglycerides Levels My cholesterol level is 259 and tryglyceride 1,756 very high and I was smoking also. Please send me a remedy. Doctor has already given me treatment pills to lower down tryglycerides. Please suggest me?
( 3 Jul 2008) Alternative Cures to Lower Down Tryglycerides Levels The first thing to do in order to lower your triglycerides is to start exercising. Begin with determining if you are overweight. If you are, that will give you a very obvious target to lose weight.

Once you reach your optimum weight, you would need to re-check your triglyceride levels. They will have reduced somewhat, but you would still have to consistently keep working at it if you want to bring the number under control. It is imperative that you exercise for at least 30 minutes every day. If you cannot do anything too strong, then you can simple climb stairs. This is the best kind of exercise to lose cholesterol and triglycerides. If you can manage 20 flights of steps a day, you can be assured that you will have a healthy heart for life. But begin with doing as much as you can and work your way up to it gradually. It need not be pointed out that you would have to cut out all kinds of fried and fatty foods from your diet. It is also advisable to eliminate red meat, which is very high in triglycerides. You must also avoid eating egg yolks and whole milk and milk products such as cheese and ice creams. This will help you considerably.

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HOME REMEDIES FOR LOWERING THE TRIGLYCERIDES IN CHOLESTEROL
Aug 25, 2009 | By Kathleen Blanchard RN Kathleen Blanchard is a Registered Nurse, with over ten years experience in cardiovascular health, emergency room, and ICU, She is currently employed as a senior case manager Kathleen has held certification as a Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN), Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS), and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS),

Triglycerides, a form of fat, are found in food and manufactured and stored in fat in the body. Eating food provides energy. When energy needs are met, food breaks down into triglycerides and is stored in fat cells to be used when needed. Eating to excess causes high triglycerides in the body and could lead to heart disease. Triglyceride and cholesterol levels are measured by a blood test, and high levels of both are thought to contribute to plaque buildup in the arteries, which can lead to heart attack and stroke.

Step 1
Exercise regularly to lower triglyceride levels. Take a 10-minute walk three times a day. More intense exercise will lower triglyceride levels even more. If you have a physical handicap, exercise your arms or legs while sitting. Most people can find a way to incorporate some form of exercise to total 30 minutes a day. Cholesterol Food Therapy No Severe Medication or Fancy Diet. Its About Eating Healthy. Visit Us! www.healthtotal.com
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Step 2
Avoid alcohol. Eliminating alcohol can keep triglyceride levels within normal limits. A blood test that measures levels should be lower than 150 mg/dL in a fasting state.

Step 3
Get tested for diabetes. Triglyceride levels can be lowered by treating diabetes with medications, diet and exercise. Without medications, and possibly daily insulin, triglyceride levels will remain uncontrolled.

Step 4
Avoid sweets, such as cookies, cakes, donuts and other baked goods, and other refined foods, including white bread, pastas and white rice. Carbohydrates from foods made with white flour increase triglyceride levels when the simple carbohydrates are broken down into sugar. Stick to whole-grain breads, wheat pasta and fruits. Substitute fish for red meat to control triglyceride levels. Use olive, canola and peanut oil. Incorporate garlic into your diet.

Step 5
Become an informed consumer. Read food labels, checking for trans fats. Food products labeled "no trans fat" may contain a small amount. Eating large quantities of foods with partially hydrogenated oil means you are getting trans fats in your diet that can add up to keep triglyceride levels high.

High Triglycerides - Home Treatment

Diet and lifestyle changes can help lower your triglycerides. For example:

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Stay at a healthy weight. Triglycerides are stored as fat in your tissues and muscles. Eat fewer calories. Excess calories are converted to triglycerides. Eat a heart-healthy diet. Limit high-calorie foods and carbohydrate, especially high-sugar foods such as cookies, soda, and fruit juices. Limit unhealthy fats in your diet, especially saturated fat. Choose a diet like the Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC) diet. For more information, see: Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC) diet. Sample menu for the TLC diet. Tips for success with the Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC) diet. Limit alcohol, which has a strong effect on triglycerides. Be more active. Try activities-such as brisk walking-that raise your heart rate. Aim for at least 2 hours of moderate exercise a week. For more information on walking, see:

Fitness: Walking for wellness. y Stop smoking. See the topic Quitting Smoking for information on how to quit.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ What is lipid profile?

The lipid profile is a blood test done to assess the status of fat metabolism in the body and is important in heart disease. This includes measuring lipids (fats) and its derivatives known as lipoproteins. Lipoproteins are compounds containing fat and proteins and include free cholesterol, cholesterol esters, triglycerides, phospholipids and apoproteins.

Which biochemical markers are used?

The blood is analysed by the laboratory to determine the levels of:

y Total cholesterol y Triglycerides y HDL (high density lipoprotein) cholesterol y LDL (low density lipoprotein) cholesterol y Serum VLDL (very low density lipoprotein) cholesterol Total cholesterol comprises all the cholesterol found in various lipoproteins such as high-density lipoproteins (HDL), low-density lipoproteins (LDL), and very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL). A total cholesterol test is a rough measure of all the cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood. Triglycerides are neutral fats found in the tissue and blood. Triglycerides containing lipoproteins may also contribute to the disorders related to coronary heart disease. Persons with high triglycerides often have other conditions, such as diabetes and obesity, that also increase the chances of developing heart disease.

The main function of HDL is to help soak up excess cholesterol from the walls of blood vessels and carry it to the liver, where it breaks down and is removed from the body in the bile. It is thus called good cholesterol as persons with high levels of HDL may have a lower incidence of heart disease. LDL contains the greatest percentage of cholesterol and is responsible for cholesterol deposits on the walls of the artery resulting in coronary artery disease. LDL is thus known as the bad cholesterol. VLDL stands for very low density lipoprotein. VLDL contains the highest amount of triglyceride. VLDL is considered a type of bad cholesterol, because it helps cholesterol build up on the walls of arteries. Normal VLDL cholesterol level is between 5 and 40 mg/dL. The cholesterol/HDL ratio is derived by dividing the total cholesterol by the HDL. This ratio helps in assessing the risk of heart disease in individuals.

What are the desirable lipid profile values?

Lipid profile values can be evaluated from the table below:

Adult values Cholesterol Triglycerides HDL-cholesterol

Desirable

Borderline

High risk 240 mg/dl

<200 mg/dl 200-239 mg/dl

<150 mg/dl 150-199 mg/dl 200-499 mg/dl 60 mg/dl 35-45 mg/dl <35 mg/dl

LDL-cholesterol 60-130 mg/dl 130-159 mg/dl 160-189 mg/dl Cholesterol/HDL 4.0 5.0 6.0

What preparations are required?

The patient needs to be fasting for 1214 hours before drawing the sample. He should also be on his normal diet pattern. Intake of alcohol on the previous night should be avoided.

What are the factors that affect lipid profile?

Factors that affect an individuals lipid profile include:

Age

Sex Body weight Alcohol and tobacco use Exercise Genetic factors Medications Chronic disorders such as hypothyroidism, obstructive liver disease, diabetes, and kidney disease

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Lower Triglycerides Naturally, Natural Remedies for Lowering Triglycerides, Lowering Triglycerides Level Naturally
The main component of both animal fats and vegetables oils make Triglycerides, which are necessary for the human body as they are an important source of energy. However, triglycerides when consumed in large quantity is harmful on the body, leading to high cholesterol, which at the end becomes a major cause of cardiovascular disease and a number of other health problems. Certain medications are used to bring down the levels of triglycerides in the body. But one of the most effective way of lowering triglycerides is by home remedies and this consists of proper diet, lifestyle and exercises.

Lower Triglycerides Naturally

Natural Remedies for Lowering Triglycerides Exercise: The first thing to do in order to lower your triglycerides is to start exercising. It is essential for you to exercise for at least 30 minutes every day to reduce you weight so as to reach the optimum weight. Start brisk walk, jogging, aerobics, cycling or yoga. If you cannot do anything too strong, then you can simply climb stairs. This is the best kind of exercise to lose triglycerides. Managing 20 flights of steps a day can assure you a healthy heart for life. But begin with doing as much as you can and work your way

up to it gradually.

Lowering Triglycerides with Diet: What to avoid? y y y y y y y Cut all kinds of fried and fatty foods from your diet. Eliminate red meat. Avoid eating egg yolks and whole milk and milk products such as cheese and ice creams. This will help you considerably. Avoid foods rich in cholesterol and fats such as beef, vegetable oils, aerated drinks, junk food. Avoid sweets,cookies, cakes, donuts and other baked goods, and other refined foods. Alcohol also contributes to increase triglyceride levels. So consumption of alcohol should therefore be limited. Avoid white bread, pasta and white rice.

Lower Triglycerides with Diet: What to take? y y y y Drink about 2-3 liters of water daily because water stimulates excretory functions. Orange juice is also helpful in lowering the cholesterol level. It helps in purifying blood and regulates heart functions. Oat bran is also beneficial in lowering down the level. Soya products, coriander water, coriander seeds, fenugreek seeds and sunflower seeds are also effective in reducing cholesterol level. You can soak coriander seeds or fenugreek seeds over night in a glass of water. Next morning, strain the liquid and have it in an empty stomach. Consume more of Vitamin B6, choline and inositol rich foods sources such as wheat germs, whole grain breads, yeast, wheat pasta and fruits. Almonds and walnuts are also important for reducing cholesterol level. Lecithin also controls the level of cholesterol. Another effective home remedy is to take a mixture of water, cinnamon sticks and honey. Brown bread with honey and coriander powder is also a good breakfast for reducing cholesterol Substitute fish for red meat to control triglyceride levels Use olive, canola and peanut oil. Garlic is also good for lowering cholesterol. Incorporate garlic into your diet.

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Lowering Triglycerides Level Naturally: Other Methods y y y y Apply a mudpack over the abdomen. This helps in improving the functions of liver and stimulate excretory functions which in turn reduce the cholesterol level. Try taking a steam bath. It is acknowledged to be the most effective home cure for lowering triglyceride level. Get tested for diabetes. Triglyceride levels can be lowered by treating diabetes with medications, diet and exercise. Try taking Epsom Salt Bath. This helps in reducing stress and blood pressure.