What You Should Know About Cholesterol Triglycerides

Cholesterol triglycerides are not talked about nearly as much as some the other blood fats but many experts believe they are more dangerous to cardiovascular health. Cholesterol triglycerides are three quarters fatty acids and one quarter glycerol. In case you were wondering glycerol is a small, water soluble carbohydrate that carries fats through the blood. Ninety five percent of all the fats in foods are cholesterol triglycerides. So the next time you are eyeing that juicy burger and fries remember it is full of artery clogging triglycerides. That alone should be worth an extra ten percent discount!

Cholesterol triglycerides are also produced in the liver when certain foods or drinks or consumed. Examples would be carbohydrates and alcohol. But wherever your triglycerides come from they are definitely a major cardiovascular risk factor once they begin circulating in the bloodstream.

Why are they so dangerous?

Triglycerides work in much the same way as LDL cholesterol and homocysteines amino acids do by roughing up the smooth interior lining of the arteries making it possible for particles floating by to get stuck and begin to build plaque that can clog the artery and lead to a heart attack or stroke.

Risk factors and demographics

High triglycerides are most often seen in those who are physically inactive, smoke, drink regularly, are overweight, or consume a diet that is high in fat and carbohydrates. High cholesterol triglycerides are also often seen in diabetics, those with kidney disease, thyroid disease, and certain inherited cholesterol problems such as hypercholesterolemia. These dangerous blood fats are also one piece of a dire heart attack prediction puzzle known as the metabolic syndrome, which includes many of the risk factors above.

Additionally, certain medications can raise cholesterol triglyceride levels. These would include birth control pills, beta-blockers, estrogen, diuretics, steroids, and tamoxifen.

What levels are good and bad?

Good is considered 150 or less; borderline high is 150 to 199; high is 200 to 499; and very high is 500 or higher.

What can be done?

No matter what type of blood fat you are trying to manage the advice is pretty much the same. This would include cutting the amount of saturated fat and fast burning carbohydrates (white rice, processed flours, simple sugars) in the diet, adding soluble fiber foods to your diet (oat meal, oat bran, whole grains), additional vegetables and high antioxidant foods to your diet, exercising daily, not smoking, only consuming alcohol in moderation, and shedding a few extra pounds if needed.

Medications are also available to help lower cholesterol triglycerides. These would include statins, gemfibrozil (Lopid), niacin, and fenofibrate (Tricor).

Can supplements help?

Most experts believe this is indeed the case. Among the natural choices worth considering are cholesterol reduction supplementsand omega 3 fish oil rich in the fatty acids DHA and EPA.

By: R.D. Hawkins

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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