what foods or actions cause triglyceride levels to be high and what can you do or eat to lower them?
thanks

Triglycerides are the easiest lipid profile to lower.

Cut back on your intake of carbs - especially sugar, sweets, simple refined carbs, starchy carbs like bread, rice, potatoes. Cut back on alchohol consumption.

If you are overweight - reduce your calorie intake, increase your exercise and get down to a normal weight.

These simple steps will have a pretty quick and dramatic affect on a high triglyceride level.

If the above doesn't have results - one should be checked for hypothyroidism.

HubbleRules
:cool:

what foods or actions cause triglyceride levels to be high and what can you do or eat to lower them?
thanks

Living a sedentary lifestyle and consuming a diet which is high in carbohydrates can result in elevated triglycerides. Foods high on the glycemic index include sugars, potatoes, bread, rice, carrots, and the rest of your typical junkfood snacks, including candy, donuts, pastries, etc. Regular exercise, combined with consuming a diet which is low in carbohydrates, and eating more protein-rich foods such as meat, eggs, fish, and fowl can be very effective at lowering triglycerides.

Why Hubble, ol' pal o' mine! How have you been? I see you beat me to the post by exactly 8 minutes. I've got to hand it to you, the wheels are turning tonight!

Arizona my good friend,

Work has been a grind the past several months - but I think the worst is behind me - several large projects are winding down and I can have a breather...

I miss being able to spend more time on this board - It's come to be my home-away-from-home...

Been spending a bit of time to visit with my Mom also - she's living with my older brother now - and he's 4 hours away...

Didn't mean to steal your thunder on this thread, but I'mmmm baaackkkk!!!!

HubbleRules

what foods or actions cause triglyceride levels to be high and what can you do or eat to lower them?
thanks

Take HIGH QUALITY FISH OIL..like Carlson's Omega 3 Super

what foods or actions cause triglyceride levels to be high and what can you do or eat to lower them?
thanksIn addition to all the other excellent recommendations, cinnamon can lower triglycerices (and LDL cholesterol) and stabilize blood sugar levels. Daily, take two 500mg capsules or 1/2 teaspoon of the variety found in the grocery store's spice isle.
Frankie

Take HIGH QUALITY FISH OIL..like Carlson's Omega 3 Super


I didn't know there was a difference in fish oils... Could you tell me what it is? Also are there some fish oils with things in them you shouldn't take?

I didn't know there was a difference in fish oils... Could you tell me what it is? Also are there some fish oils with things in them you shouldn't take?I think what Rahod is referring to by 'high quality' is to choose a fish oil that is 'mercury free' and Carlson's is from Icelantic waters. AND fish oil should be refrigerated, as it can become rancid very easily.

I don't think we need to worry much about the composition and purity of fish oil supplements. Fortunately, I have saved my copy of the July 2003 issue of Consumer Reports, in which they evaluated 16 brands of fish oil, ranging in price from 6 cents per day all the way up to 60 cents per day. The supplements were evaluated by two independent labs. The results showed that all the pills contained roughly as much EPA and DHA as their labels promised. None showed evidence of spoilage, and none contained significant amounts of mercury, PCBs, or dioxin. The bottom line is that the choice boils down to price. If there is any advantage to taking the higher priced fish oil pills, I have no idea what that might be.

I don't think we need to worry much about the composition and purity of fish oil supplements. Fortunately, I have saved my copy of the July 2003 issue of Consumer Reports, in which they evaluated 16 brands of fish oil, ranging in price from 6 cents per day all the way up to 60 cents per day. The supplements were evaluated by two independent labs. The results showed that all the pills contained roughly as much EPA and DHA as their labels promised. None showed evidence of spoilage, and none contained significant amounts of mercury, PCBs, or dioxin. The bottom line is that the choice boils down to price. If there is any advantage to taking the higher priced fish oil pills, I have no idea what that might be.


Arizona,

THanks for the info - I was starting to worry about my bottles of Omega-3 Fish Oil...

I buy them when Puritan has a sale - so I buy 3, sometimes 6 bottles at a clip. I do refrigerate them to keep them from going bad.

I do though want to buy some of the Carlson's Cod Liver Oil... It seems to have a very good reputation for quality...

HubbleRules
:cool:

Thanks for the Consumer Reports info, Arizona. Consumer Lab (non-subscriber portion) also lists info about Omega 3 supplements.

Frankie

I do though want to buy some of the Carlson's Cod Liver Oil... It seems to have a very good reputation for quality...


Carlson's is a good product, no question about that. I suppose that if you are interested in their cod liver oil, you really should refrigerate it. However, in regards to fish oil capsules, I'm not so sure if it is necessary to refrigerate them. I just store mine at room temperature. But I take 6 capsules a day, so a bottle doesn't last very long. So, I am assuming that they would be good right up until the expiration date, and of course I use them all well before they expire. On the label it just says to keep them in a cool, dry place, tightly closed. It says nothing about refrigerating them.

By the way, the cost I mentioned is based on what it would cost you to consume one gram of EPA and DHA combined.

Triglycerides are the easiest lipid profile to lower.

Cut back on your intake of carbs - especially sugar, sweets, simple refined carbs, starchy carbs like bread, rice, potatoes. Cut back on alchohol consumption.

If you are overweight - reduce your calorie intake, increase your exercise and get down to a normal weight.

These simple steps will have a pretty quick and dramatic affect on a high triglyceride level.

If the above doesn't have results - one should be checked for hypothyroidism.

HubbleRules
:cool:


Hubble, It ain't easy. I have been on ultra low carbs, fat free, low cholesterol , no alcohol, for twenty years. I exercise regularly at the gym, haven't been able to lose any weight, triglycerides and choleserol keep climbing, and have been yearly tested for both diabetes and hypothroidism. None of these are applicable. I am at this point getting pretty desperate. Got anything else in your bag of tricks? I don't mean to criticise, I'm looking for something that will really help.

Hubble, It ain't easy. I have been on ultra low carbs, fat free, low cholesterol , no alcohol, for twenty years. I exercise regularly at the gym, haven't been able to lose any weight, triglycerides and choleserol keep climbing, and have been yearly tested for both diabetes and hypothroidism. None of these are applicable. I am at this point getting pretty desperate. Got anything else in your bag of tricks? I don't mean to criticise, I'm looking for something that will really help.


momcat1,

I can sympathize - lifestyle changes work better in some than in others. I've tried, and I can't budge my HDL much no matter what I do. Sometimes genetics trump lifestyle changes...

Only other suggestions I have are

a) try niacin - several on this site have had good results with a prescription slow-release form called Niaspan. I'm using a slow-release version (inositol hexanicotinate) but hadn't been on it long enough at my last blood test to notice a big improvement in triglycerides. The immediate release versions can cause a flushing that many cannot tolerate.

b) cut back on caffeine - it has been shown to raise triglycerides

b) If lifestyle changes or supplements fail, try one of the fibrate drugs (Lopid or Tricor), just be careful about side-effects, and do not combine it with a statin - this can significantly increase the risk of muscular problems.


In the above, I am assuming that you are primarily concerned about your triglyceride level.

If not, you can significantly lower your LDL with Policosanol (made from SUGAR CANE, not beeswax or rice), or with one of the statins - just be watchful for side effects.
Best of luck,

HubbleRules
:cool:

My original concern was cholesterol, since the doc has been pushing statins. It's just that I also noticed my triglycerides were jumping, not climbing higher at the same time, despite, the diet, exercise and all that. While trying to stave off the statins, I've been taking niacin, policosanol and choestatin. In that time the cholesterol is jumping higher, faster than before I tried anything. None of these things has helped at all.

Hubble, It ain't easy. I have been on ultra low carbs, fat free, low cholesterol , no alcohol, for twenty years. I exercise regularly at the gym, haven't been able to lose any weight, triglycerides and choleserol keep climbing, and have been yearly tested for both diabetes and hypothroidism. None of these are applicable. I am at this point getting pretty desperate. Got anything else in your bag of tricks? I don't mean to criticise, I'm looking for something that will really help.

MomCat1,

You may have already posted them on another thread, but what exactly are your cholesterol numbers (TC, HDL, LDL, Trigs)? And if you know, how have they changed recently?

If your doctor says there is no underlying health reason why your numbers are going up (diabetes, hypothyroidism), and it sounds like you've given lifestyle changes and supplements a good try, then perhaps you have no choice but a prescription med. Frustrating, but certainly not the end of the world.

If you go on a statin, I'd advise starting on a low dose to see if it helps. If not, work with your doctor to increase it. On any cholesterol med (and most meds in general), the lowest effective dose is usually best.

Please do take at least 30-50mg CoQ10 daily - as statins deplete this nutrient, and that depletion may be the cause of muscle aches/weakness that some experience on statins.

By the way, did the Policosanol you take say it is made from Sugar Cane? What dose did you take, and did you take it at night? I've had good initial results from it so far...

HubbleRules
:cool:

Most recent bloodwork last month showed TC=230, HDL=38, LDL=151, TRI=204. Oct 2004 showed TC=222, HDL=38, LDL=142, TRI=210, May 2001 showed TC=215, HDL=44, LDL=147, TRI=118. I also have a Home Cholesterol test machine that only measures TC. I have been self testing on my way to having bloodwork, and it always reads within 2 points of what the lab does. This weekend I took another test (always same time of day), and got TC=285, which really scared me, cause I've been careful of diet for so long I don't know how not to. This was the day before the he started me on Lipitor 20mg, every other day. Until starting the Lipitor, I was faithfully taking Niacin 250mg, Policosanol 20 mg (sugar cane), and cholestatin 650 mg. All of these were taken at night, so as not interfere with my day.
He told me that after careful analysis, the only reason he could come up with was genetics. He said I cannot have TC over 160, because of the new guidelines. I wonder where they actually got the information from to make that decision! I have to tell you that after taking 2 doses of the Lipitor, these hot flashes and threatening migraines better go away, or I will not continue taking it. I've already had my share of these problems, and can't afford any more. Keep in mind that when the migraines go full blown, you're risking stroke. For the rest of this week, I will continue the Lipitor, but I am very carefully watching what happens in the meantime. I cannot afford to be even a little bit mentally or physically challeged, since I work a high level tech job, and have to run the household, since my husband's narcolepsy has stolen a lot of his mental acuity. The kids are far away, serving our country. I don't have the resources to lean on someone else, nor do I want to. I am way too young for this!

Most recent bloodwork last month showed TC=230, HDL=38, LDL=151, TRI=204. Oct 2004 showed TC=222, HDL=38, LDL=142, TRI=210, May 2001 showed TC=215, HDL=44, LDL=147, TRI=118. I also have a Home Cholesterol test machine that only measures TC. I have been self testing on my way to having bloodwork, and it always reads within 2 points of what the lab does. This weekend I took another test (always same time of day), and got TC=285, which really scared me, cause I've been careful of diet for so long I don't know how not to. This was the day before the he started me on Lipitor 20mg, every other day. Until starting the Lipitor, I was faithfully taking Niacin 250mg, Policosanol 20 mg (sugar cane), and cholestatin 650 mg. All of these were taken at night, so as not interfere with my day.
He told me that after careful analysis, the only reason he could come up with was genetics. He said I cannot have TC over 160, because of the new guidelines. I wonder where they actually got the information from to make that decision! I have to tell you that after taking 2 doses of the Lipitor, these hot flashes and threatening migraines better go away, or I will not continue taking it. I've already had my share of these problems, and can't afford any more. Keep in mind that when the migraines go full blown, you're risking stroke. For the rest of this week, I will continue the Lipitor, but I am very carefully watching what happens in the meantime. I cannot afford to be even a little bit mentally or physically challeged, since I work a high level tech job, and have to run the household, since my husband's narcolepsy has stolen a lot of his mental acuity. The kids are far away, serving our country. I don't have the resources to lean on someone else, nor do I want to. I am way too young for this!


Momcat1,

You certainly sound like you have your share of worries... I wish I could offer a silver-bullet for your cholesterol results, or something to ease your mind...

My last test showed results similar to your 'last month' numbers... I tend not to get worked up about it though, because I don't really buy into the theory that high-cholesterol is a major heart-disease risk. I am much more concerned with controlling low-level inflammation (with Folic Acid. low-dose aspirin) and preventing LDL from oxidizing (with Vit E, C) and with raising my HDL.

I don't know why your doctor insists on your TC being < 160 - are you sure he wasn't referring to keeping your LDL < 160? I thought the new guidelines call for TC to be < 200 (the new 'desireable' range). TC of 200-239 is now called 'borderline high'. Do you have other CHD risk factors? A sibling or parent with history of CHD? Diagnosed CHD for yourself?

I can sympathize with your concerns and stress level - what with your husband's health problems and being the head of the household, and the migraines.... I also have a high-level tech job - and I understand the stresses it entails. My wife has migraines also - she's been put on 2 different meds by a neurologist - neither has solved the problem... I haven't heard of statins causing migraines - which is what you seem to indicate your experience has been. It sounds logical to me that it could though, since it plays with our cholesterol level and the brain is largely cholesterol. By the way, I hope that your children are safe, since you mentioned that they are serving our country - that's probably another huge worry... I for one am hugely grateful to those in the military - they are putting their lives on the line protecting the freedoms that we all take for granted. I pray that they all come home safe and sound.

You probably have a genetic makeup such that no matter what you do via lifestyle changes you will not get your cholesterol to the level your doctor is advising... You probably will have to be on a statin or some other cholesterol med like Vytorin or Zetia... you're going to have to find one that works for you without serious side-effects...

As far as 250mg niacin goes, I don't think that will help anything at all. Most of the advice I've seen on Niacin calls for 1000mg/day OR MORE before it translates into any significant reduction in cholesterol.

Also, with the Cholestatin, I don't think you take it at night - I think you take it before a meal to reduce the absorption of cholesterol in your meal by your body. I use a similar product called 'Cholest Off' - like Cholestatin it is a blend of plant sterols/stanols. They suggest taking it 15-30 minutes before each meal so it can help prevent absorption of dietary cholesterol... I take it before a 'fatty' meal...

Sorry the Policicosanol hasn't helped you.

I think this all points out that we are all different - and what works for one person may not for another.... It's frustrating...

My advice is that if you not get too worked up about any single blood test result - but look at the average of several readings. I don't consider your cholesterol levels to be too high... I do think your HDL is too low (like mine), and that your TRIGs fluctuate a bit from one reading to another...

Since you seem concerned about your cholesterol numbers being too high, I suggest that you work with your doctor to find a med that you can tolerate.. It may be you have to try something other than Lipitor.

While on the meds, I'd completely stop the niacin and policosanol. And I'd take 30mg CoQ10 with the med (especially if it's a statin).

Best wishes

HubbleRules
:cool:

Sorry about that Hubble. I meant to say I took the Cholestatin, at night, but also before each meal. Since I have a hard time distinguishing between a meal and a high fat one, I just do all of them. It's been many years sine I actually ate a meal that even had a moderate amount of fat. And I was really hoping the Cholestatin would do something, because I noticed that it did allow me to eat foods that I haven't tolerated in years.

I had cut the Niacin from 1000 mg to 250 mg when I could no longer find any of the higher strength in a local store. When I tried to take even two fo the 250's at a time, all hell broke loose. So I stayed at the lower dose, figuring at least I was getting some.

I'll check into the CoQ10, but recent browsing has shown me some hefty prices.

No, he did say the TC at or below 160, and no I don't have CHD or a family history of it either. He's had plenty of fun with me trying to stop the migraines for the past 6 years. It turns out that the BP med I'm also prevents migraines. That was another fun one to narrow down. I had chronically low BP all my life, until one day it shot up and stayed there. The doc had to try 5 meds before he found one that didn't give me migraines. Now if I could just lose a few pounds, and feel like a human being, we'd be somewhere. But that's probably a topic for another forum. God knows I've tried.