How to lower high triglycerides

06/09/2021
trigl

High blood pressure, high triglycerides and cholesterol are simple tests that we do every year and situations that we hear every day occupy a lot of people.

There has been a dramatic increase in cardiovascular disease in recent decades, which is consistently the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Factors that lead to its appearance are high triglycerides and cholesterol, hypertension, obesity and diabetes.

But what are triglycerides and how can we reduce them naturally?

What are triglycerides?

They are a type of fatty acid (fat) that is present in the blood. Excess energy from the food we consume daily is converted into triglycerides, ie lipid esters combined with lipoproteins. Triglycerides are the stored form of energy of cells and especially adipocytes. In addition, they are used to produce energy, create new cells and hormones.

If the body needs energy, then with the help of hormones triglycerides are released into the bloodstream. Normally blood triglyceride levels are below 150mg / dl. However in case of disorder, their concentration may increase leading to hypertriglyceridemia. [1], [2], [3]

According to the National Cholesterol Education Program, triglyceride classification is categorized:

Classification  Triglycerides (mg/dl) 
Normal values <150mg/dl
Slightly high values 150-199 mg/dl
High values 200-250 mg/dl
Very high values  >500 mg/dl

How are triglycerides different from cholesterol?

Triglycerides and cholesterol are both fats known as lipids. However, they do present some important differences. In particular, cholesterol is a waxy, odorless substance produced by the liver and is an essential part of cell walls and nerves.

Cholesterol also plays an important role in functions such as digestion and hormone production. In addition to its endogenous production, we also get it from animal foods. [2]

When should we measure triglyceride levels?

Triglyceride levels are usually measured each time we perform a blood test called a lipid profile. Everyone over the age of 20 should have their cholesterol checked at least every 5 years. Your healthcare provider can check your cholesterol and triglyceride levels by taking a blood sample, which is sent to a lab for testing. The lipid profile shows your triglyceride levels, total cholesterol level, HDL cholesterol (high density lipoprotein or “good” cholesterol) and LDL (low density lipoprotein or “bad” cholesterol).

Blood triglyceride levels are usually high after eating. Therefore, you should wait 12 hours after eating or drinking before having a blood test. Of course there are several other factors that may affect blood triglyceride levels, including alcohol, diet, menstruation, day and recent exercise. [2]

Causes of elevated or decreased triglycerides

The increase in triglyceride values ​​can be the result of many different factors. The main reasons are: [11]

  • obesity
  • increased consumption of carbohydrates and sweets
  • reduced physical activity
  • diabetes
  • hypothyroidism
  • kidney disease
  • liver disease
  • alcohol overdose

Respectively, the causes where reduced triglycerides are observed, at pathological levels include:

  • hereditary factors and diseases
  • hormonal disorders
  • states of malabsorption
  • neurogenic anorexia
  • drugs and toxic substances
  • bad nutrition
  • liver diseases

What causes elevated triglycerides?

It used to be believed that triglycerides were not as important a risk factor for cardiovascular disease as LDL cholesterol. However, over the years this belief has changed. Elevated serum triglycerides have been shown to contribute to the formation of atherosclerotic plaque and atherosclerosis, and in combination with “good” cholesterol (HDL) and “bad” cholesterol (LDL), determine cardiovascular risk. Very high triglyceride levels also increase the risk of acute pancreatitis. [1]

Treatment of hyperglyceridemia

  • Omega 3 fatty acids

Omega 3 fatty acids, ie EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (dosahexanoic acid), help significantly reduce mainly serum triglycerides and cholesterol, have anti-inflammatory action and help regulate blood pressure. In particular, it has been shown that they can reduce blood triglyceride levels by up to 30%, while also having a beneficial role and protecting against cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis. The recommended daily dose in cases of hypertriglyceridemia is> 1000mg omega 3 fatty acids per day. [10]

  • Niacin (Vitamin B3)

Niacin or nicotinic acid can also help treat hyperlipidemia and hypertriglyceridemia. In particular, niacin supplementation has been shown to help reduce triglycerides levels, LDL cholesterol and lipoproteins by 30-50%. Taking it has no side effects and can be combined with common cholesterol-lowering medications, such as statins. It is usually given to people who have very high triglyceride levels (> 500 md / dl). [12]

  • Alpha-Lipoic acid

Alpha-lipoic acid (a-lipoic acid) is an acid that helps reduce triglycerides levels by affecting certain genes in the liver. It has been found to reduce the production of triglycerides while also increasing their metabolism (clearance). It can be given either alone or in combination with other common antilipidemic therapies. [13]

  • Guggul

Guggul is a substance derived from Mukul Myrrh (Commiphore mukul), a small plant in India that has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine. Used alone or in combination with red rice yeast, a plant-based choice for lowering cholesterol. Guggul sterones have been found to effectively lower LDL cholesterol and serum triglyceride levels, and have also been shown to protect blood vessels from atherosclerosis and oxidative damage. [9]

Diet and lifestyle

However, in addition to supplements, both diet and lifestyle play a very important role in reducing serum triglycerides. In summary, we should:

  • reduce intake of calories
  • reduce intake of carbohydrates and mainly simple sugars
  • reduce intake of saturated fat
  • increase fiber consumption
  • increase exercise and physical activity
  • reduce alcohol consumption

At Vita4you.gr  you can find a wide variety of dietary supplements to treat high triglycerides.

References

  1. How to Lower Your Triglycerides
  2. Triglycerides & Heart Health
  3. Triglycerides: Why do they matter?
  4. Separate effects of reduced carbohydrate intake and weight loss on atherogenic dyslipidemia
  5. The behavior of dietary fiber in the gastrointestinal tract determines its physiological effect
  6. Differential Effects of Aerobic Exercise, Resistance Training and Combined Exercise Modalities on Cholesterol and the Lipid Profile: Review, Synthesis and Recommendations
  7. The Effect of Alcohol on Postprandial and Fasting Triglycerides
  8. A Two-Year Follow-Up Cohort Study-Improved Clinical Control over CVD Risk Factors through Weight Loss in Middle-Aged and Older Adults
  9. A Comparative Study of Lipid-Lowering Effects of Guggul and Atorvastatin Monotherapy in Comparison to Their Combination in High Cholesterol Diet-Induced Hyperlipidemia in Rabbits
  10. Omega-3 Fatty Acids Effects on Inflammatory Biomarkers and Lipid Profiles among Diabetic and Cardiovascular Disease Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
  11. Differential Effects of Aerobic Exercise, Resistance Training and Combined Exercise Modalities on Cholesterol and the Lipid Profile: Review, Synthesis and Recommendations
  12. Niacin as antidyslipidemic drug
  13. α-Lipoic acid as a triglyceride-lowering nutraceutical

Panagiotis Nevras

Pharmacist, graduate of School of Pharmacy, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, specializing in Clinical Pharmacology, Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Gkatzouli Pharmacy head and member of the editorial team of vita4you.gr.

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The content of this blogspot is not and can not be considered as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All information is provided to readers solely for informational purposes. There is no intention to substitute this content for personalized medical advice, diagnosis, prognosis or treatment.

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