High Triglycerides

[BethyGirlie]

Does anyone know of any supplement that can lower triglycerides? My triglycerides are sky high and I'm only 26, and I'm scared that I'm going to have a heart attack if I don't get them down. Any advice? I am currently on a low-fat diet and I have lost 60 pounds so far.

Thanks

[Fathersson]

Fish oil - specifically the ingrediants DHA and EPA. There is extremely good evidence that these lower triglycerides and slightly bump HDL (they don't seem to do much for LDL). There is even a new prescription medication made from fish oil called omicor.

To specifically impact triglycerides, you should be looking at over the counter supplements that will give you anywhere from 2 to 4 grams of combined EPA plus DHA (ie. you need to read the labels to find out how much EPA and DHA are in any given brands formula).

I take Nature's Bounty fish oil in the 1200mg soft gel formulation, but there are other very good brands. I take 6 soft gels (3 with breakfast and 3 with my evening meal), which gives me a daily total of 2160mg EPA+DHA.

There was even a Consumer's Digest review of fish oil brands last year (?). Try to buy one that has distilled oil, as that will help ensure that any heavy metal contamination in the fish has been removed.

My triglycerides went from 684mg/DL to about 150 now with the above combination of fish oil and fenofibrate (Tricor). Tricor is a prescription med. so don't concern yourself with that until you've tried alternatives. Avoid too much dietary fat, sugars, and especially alcohol. Most people with high triglycerides seem have them spike with alcohol, I know mine do, even one beer a week before a lipid panel will elevate mine.

Try the fish oil by itself for awhile before you even think about any prescription meds though. The main side effect from fish oil typically is intestinal discomfort and gas, although I've never experienced any issues with taking it.

[HubbleRules]

Originally Posted by Fathersson

To specifically impact triglycerides, you should be looking at over the counter supplements that will give you anywhere from 2 to 4 grams of combined EPA plus DHA

My triglycerides went from 684mg/DL to about 150 now with the above combination of fish oil and fenofibrate (Tricor). Tricor is a prescription med. so don't concern yourself with that until you've tried alternatives. Avoid too much dietary fat, sugars, and especially alcohol.

BethyGirlie,

In addition to Fathersson's advice, I'd suggest cutting back on simple carbohydrates (most packaged foods), and reduce your overall calorie intake. Try to eat more veggies and increase your fibre intake. Of your carbohydrates, chose those with a low glycemic-index (you can easily find listings of GI for various foods online).

I tried the fish oil - was taking a total of 2000mg DHA+EPA daily, and it did impact my lipid levels noticeably. Not everyone's cholesterol responds to fish oil. I would imagine the Tricor is responsible for most of the triglyceride reduction above.

By the way, what are your triglyceride and cholesterol levels?

HubbleRules

[BethyGirlie]

Triglycerides- 1000 .... Total Cholesterol 250....

Doctor put me on Tricor....I'm going to start taking fish oils though too....

I'm afraid that I'm going to have a heart attack one of these days, I am only 26...hopefully I will get these levels down to a manageable number.

[Fathersson]

Originally Posted by HubbleRules

BethyGirlie,
I would imagine the Tricor is responsible for most of the triglyceride reduction above.

HubbleRules

Actually, yes and no. Dietary changes, increasing exercise and 145mg/day of Tricor did manage to get my Triglycerides down into the mid-to-high 300's. Given I started out in the high 600's, that's not insubstantial, and actually in the maximum observed reduction range for fenofibrate. It was the addition of the fish oil that finally got my TGs below 200, and for the last 6 months or so, sitting in the 150 to 170 range. So actually, in terms of percentage reduction, the fish oil had about as much affect as the tricor.

I've had enough lipid panels in the past 2 years to know that stopping either treatment (tricor or fish oil) causes my TGs to rapidly start climbing.

As with any medication or supplement, your mileage may (read = will) vary)