Question about Triglycerides?

Question

My dad just got some test results. His HDL and LDL cholesterol levels are good. He takes a cholesterol-lowering drug. I think it's Lipitor. However, his Triglycerides are 217. The normal range is 0-150. Why is this and what can he do about it? He fasted before the test.

Answer 1

Triglycerides are frequently high as a result of the breakdown of carbohydrates in the diet. One of the quickest ways to fix this is to use a low carbohydrate diet and add fish oil and olive oil to the diet.

Diet quite possibly fix this. The fish oil and olive oil can help raise the HDL to help counteract the negative effects of the triglycerides.

Answer 2

There are high causes for high triglycerides are: high fat foods and weight gain, age, medications, illness, and heredity. Triglycerides rise when we eat more calories – especially of certain kinds of foods – than our body immediately needs. The process goes something like this… We eat a meal loaded with calories. An enzyme called lipase breaks down the fat into glycerol and fatty acids. One glycerol component is joined by three fatty acids – becoming a triglyceride component. Unused triglycerides are transported to fat cells for storage. When energy is needed hormones trigger the release of these stored fats. To lower triglycerides you need to watch the food you eat and certainly exercise. Triglycerides will lower automatically when you lower your cholesterol intake. Due to hereditary factors, your doctor may also recommend a supplement. Follow your doctor's advice seriously along with a healthy diet and exercise.

Answer 3

The new guidelines that came out 4 years ago (May, 2001,) for the first time, recommend treating patients who have elevated triglyceride levels. This recommendation is based on recent analyses strongly suggesting that triglycerides are indeed an independent risk factor for coronary artery disease. The decision to treat is generally based on the triglyceride levels themselves. Normal triglyceride levels are less than 150 mg/dL. Borderline high levels are 150-199 mg/dl. High levels are 200 - 499 mg/dL, and very high triglyceride levels are greater than 500 mg/dL.

For people with borderline or high triglyceride levels, treatment should emphasize weight reduction, proper diet and exercise. In some people with metabolic syndrome medical treatment may be necessary along with proper diet and exercise.


ELIMINATE or LIMIT ALL sugars such as, concentrated sweets, sugar, honey, molasses, jams, jellies, candies, pies, cakes, cookies, candy, doughnuts, ice cream, frozen yogurt, and sweetened gelatine.

Eliminate or limit as much as you can acohol, such as beer, wine, hard liquor, liqueurs as well as other foods, like sweetened cereals, flavored yogurts, and sports or energy bars.

Cut down on red meat, especially fried, changing it to broiled or roasted poultry (turkey, chicken), preferably free-range. Add more dark green leafy vegetables.

Answer 4

Your dad needs to watch his intake of carbohydrates and he needs to exercise regularly (with the approval of his doctor first). The fact that he fasted before the test has nothing to do with the results. His triglycerides are high because he eats too many carbohydrates and he does not get enough exercise.

Answer 5

yeah...more likely than not can be fixed with a change in diet....

cut down the carb and saturated fat intake......