doctors please help!!!!! please read!!!! my dad has high tryglycerides and he is diabetic?

Question

my dad is 56 years old and he is a sort of a diabetic. it runs in our family. and his triglyceride level is 356. but he does not have high cholesterol. he just has high carbohydrate levels. the doctor gave him TriCor 145 to take. he also gave him a heart monitor because his heart isnt working properly. we bought him a treadmill for christmas so that will help him with excercizing. he still needs to eat healthy. what should he eat, and so his diet doesnt change dramatically? he is used to eating a lot of bread, rice, and pasta and meat. and how much should he excercize? he weighs about 200 pounds and has a beer belly, from drinking a lot in his younger days. he probably only drinks a beer or two every two weeks. he also used to smoke for about 20 years but he quit about 10 years ago. i am scared that he might have a heart attack or stroke. please help and only serious answers because this is a serious matter. and if there are any doctors out there.... please help!!!

Answer 1

For a minute there I thought you were my sister, our father is very similar although mine is older. I am not a medical student (yet) but have worked in the pharmaceutical industry for four years, specifically cardiovascular medicines. It sounds like by "sort of diabetic" you mean he has metabollic syndrome or syndrome X. This is a precursor for diabetes.

Controlling the triglycerides has a few components.

As you have so aptly pointed out his diet needs some modification. Move from white rice (Minute rice variety) to a long-grain or wild rice or even couscous. Bread should be a whole grain (there are even some whole grain whites) and pasta should be of the whole-wheat variety.

The number one issue is the "beer belly." Men and women gain weight differently from eachother. Men build visceral fat (fat around the organs) before ever getting the aforementioned "belly." This is problematic for many reasons but in regards to triglycerides this adipose (fat) tissue affects how the body processes the sugar intake (from the starchy foods he's eating) and creates the triglycerides because of the way the body preferentially uses simple sugars and stores fat. You want to make sure that getting rid of the belly is probably the number one thing that will save him from stroke or heart attack, not to mention that he will also get his blood sugars under control.

The Tricor 145 is a good start. Evidence based medicine might also suggest atorvastatin (Lipitor) because of the recent evidence of reduction of stroke and heart attack in Type-2 diabetics.

In additon to the treadmill I might suggest a swiss ball which he can lean against the wall and do deep knee bends (squats) to work the large quadriceps muscles and increase his metabollic rate (burn more calories) more efficiently. Perhaps a dumbbell set to work his shoulder and back muscles.

The beer (especially in the quantity he's having) is probably doing him more good than ill.

Hope that helps.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

2

Answer 4

I am writing to tell you what an incredible impact these methods had on my life! I have had type 2 diabetes for 27 years. For me, the worst part of this horrible disease is the severe pain I constantly get in my feet. The pain is so bad that I avoid standing and walking as much as possible. I've got to tell you that within the first month, my feet stopped hurting altogether and I can now walk totally pain free.

Believe it or not, I even danced at my niece's wedding last month, something I have not done in a many years. I've been following the book for six months now and my blood sugar is well within normal range. I feel great!

I recommend you use the Type 2 Diabetes Destroyer to naturally reverse your diabetes.

Answer 5

I would not worry about one blood test, now if after a few fasting blood tests spread out over a couple months continue with elevated triglycerides, then that would have to be addressed. As the other person said, diabetics do have a problem with them. Stay away from foods high in fat for a few days before the test, then fast for 12 hours, but drink plenty of water and see what your results will be.

Answer 6

I'm not a doctor, but hopefully I can help a little. Have your Dad take an essential fatty acid (fish oil) supplement and it should help.

Have him use real butter instead of magaraine and use oil oil. The fake oils he should stay away from, as they are what will clog the arteries.

As far as meats, he should eat lean meats only, trying to stay away from high fatty content.

My Dad is diabetic and just had a heart attack 3 months ago. He was eating poorly and had poor blood sugar control, but now he is trying to eat 7 grain bread instead of white breads and is trying to exercise more. Exercise like walking will help to lower blood sugar and help to strengthen the heart.

Answer 7

Do you really believe that a doctor actually has the time to waste on this site?

Your dad isn't "sort of diabetic" ... he either is or isn't! He doesn't have high carbohydrate levels ... he eats high carbohydrate foods! He has high cholesterol levels, but still eats all those high carb foods you listed. Your doctor, not we, needs to get him a proper diet to follow.

Get your dad back to the doctor or get his affairs in order. My dad was the same way ... an over weight adult diabetic with high cholesterol and a bad heart ... we buried him 22 years ago!

It's no joke ... your dad needs to clean up his act, or he'll die young!

Answer 8

Eat lots and lots of "fresh" vegetables and various fruits.
Buy him a good pair of walking shoes, and tell him to get out more frequently. Start off with short walks, and slowly graduate to longer distances.
Keep his Diabetes under control. I had similar experiences and I lost my left leg, right toes, and major vascular surgery on the right leg, to improve circulation. I didn't listen to those who warned me.
Tell your dad this. There is still lots to live for. (despite what someone else may tell you).

Answer 9

You are good and devoted daughter and you need to worry, well you can find very useful info rearding the problems, here are three sites
. My brother is doctor and he surely recommend this serious case to be shown to the doctor. All the best

Answer 10

cut down on salts
cut down junk food
exercise regularly
consult ur dr for HmG CoA Reductase Inhibitor

and research Familial Hypertriglyceridemia
refer to a book
Internal Medicine-Harrisons