What Can I Do To Lower Triglycerides?

We all know how important keeping our cholesterol under control is to heart and artery health. But what about triglycerides? Is it really worth our time and effort to lower triglycerides, or is it just one more unnecessary thing to worry about when it come to health?

I would suspect that if you asked 100 doctors if finding ways to lower triglycerides is important they all would say not only is it important but very important. In this article we will explore exactly what these blood fats are, on our way to finding ways to lower triglycerides.

What are triglycerides?

Almost all of the fats in foods are triglycerides, although some of the fat molecules are churned out by the liver after ingesting carbohydrates, alcohol, and some high cholesterol foods.

They pose a risk for heart and artery disease because they are composed of 75 percent fat and are carried around the body through the bloodstream by lipoproteins in the same way as cholesterol. Triglycerides also rough up the interior lining of the arteries making it possible for arterial plaque deposits to form.

How to lower triglycerides?

Well from our description it looks like all we need to do to lower triglycerides is reduce our fat consumption down to virtually nothing and load up on vegetables, fruits, and grains.

Surprisingly according to the American Heart Association this is not the case at all, in fact what is considered the epitome of the so called heart healthy diet might actually send your triglycerides soaring rather than plummeting.

The trick to lower triglycerides through diet seem to lie in knowing your fats. Yes, we will still want to eat plenty of those soluble fiber carbohydrates foods but instead of saturated fat will need to eat more polyunsaturated fat.

What the heck are polyunsaturated fats?

Let’s take a trip back to college, leaving out the party part and refresh our memories. Polyunsaturated fats are found in corn, safflower, soybean, and sunflower oils and lower blood cholesterol even more than the good fats known as monosaturated fats found in nuts and avocados. Polyunsaturated fats are also found in cold water fatty fish in the form of omega 3 oils. They also have the added advantage of preventing blood cells and cholesterol from sticking to the inside of the blood vessels thus discouraging plaque buildup.

So what does all this mean?

In order to lower triglycerides through diet we will need to substitute fish for other meats a couple of times a week, consume less than 7 percent or 16 grams of saturated fat per day, and avoid simple carbohydrates and sugars that are rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream (table sugar, white flower, white rice etc…).

What else can I do?

Daily exercise has been shown to lower triglycerides, saying no to cigarettes and second hand smoke is another important tip, eating small meals instead of binging, keeping your weight under control, and lastly consider an all natural cholesterol reduction supplement to put the candles on top of your triglyceride lowering cake?

What is all else fails?

If all natural means fail your doctor will likely write you a prescription for one of a number of mediations including stains, gemfibrozil, fenofibrate, niacin, or the new fish oil based prescription medication currently on the market.

By: R.D. Hawkins

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

R.D. Hawkins is an enthusiastic advocate for the use of natural health products and natural living with over 10 years experience in the field. Learn more about natural remedies and natural health at Purchase Remedies.com