high triglycerides~any ideas?

My husband had high triglycerides - he initially cut out then just cut back on sugar....problem solved.

fish oil pills are supposed to lower triglycerides...get the ones that are enteric coated...some people have fish burps (ew!!) if they take the ones that aren't coated...

http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4778

http://www.high-triglycerides.com/

for me, I lowered my carbohydrate intake and monitored it very closely for a while

For low down triglycerides you must focus on carbs...avoid all refined sugars and starchy carbs...change to whole grains (brown rice & pasta, quinoa, only 100% whole bread), you must include more fiber, cut down the alcohol totally (this is important), and supplement yourself with Omega 3 fatty acids....of course NO SWEETS....

Hi TJ....the above is generally all great advice but I recommend you not go the supplement route....just add more foods high in omega 3.....supplements are not FDA regulated and therefore you have no real way of knowing if what your buying is actually what you are ingesting. There's been alot of research regarding mislabeling and over 60% of products do not contain the labeld dose. That being said, research indicates that omega-3s may be better absorbed from food than supplements anyways.

Excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids include: Salmon, flax seeds and walnuts. There is actually alot of research indicating that consuming a small handful of walnuts everyday (6-8 halves) lower cholesterol within a few weeks. I've given this advice to a few clients and it has worked time and time again.

Omega-3 foods do alot for your body including: Reducing inflammation, keep your blood from clotting, maintain the fluidity of your cell membranes, lower the amount of lipids (fats such as cholesterol and triglycerides) circulating in the bloodstream,
inhibit thickening of the arteries, reduce the risk of becoming obese and improve the body's ability to respond to insulin by stimulating the secretion of leptin, a hormone that helps regulate food intake, body weight and metabolism, and help prevent cancer cell growth. Pretty amazing, huh?

Exercise, of course, is definitely essential and has the added benefited of raising your HDL levels....high density lipoproteins are great for clearing out the LDL cholesterol (bad). The only real way of raising HDL is through exercise.

Ok, I think that sums it up. Dani

OK..I KNOW that people will object to this, I am not a doctor so please keep an open mind. But my doc had me try something that worked.

I had high triglycerides about 5 years ago. I started eating right etc as well. But my Doctor said to have ONE glass of a dry red wine 2-3 time a week.

I am not joking.

My tryglycerides are now in the normal range and I am still a tad overweight (which I am working on) but my triglycerides are in the normal range, my blood pressure and bad cholesterol are excellent.

DO NOT overdo or have 3 glasses a night. Moderation. Yes high sugar alcohols like martinis etc are bad, but a small portion of wine is probably good for us.

I had high trigylcerides a few years back, and took prescribed medications for a year or so without any real dietary changes and without any great improvement. Then started eating oatmeal every day and was able to stop the meds. Lately (last 6 mo or so) I've gotten away from the every day, and last week my blood test showed the TGs a bit too high again. Doctor said get on a low-fat diet for a month and retest. That's why I just joined myfitnesspal. No more cheating on the oatmeal with a bagel or sourdough bread! But maybe, like today, I'll replace the oatmeal with wholewheat double fiber bread.

Mine are boardline high, all other blood work was in the normal range. I had already been cutting back on all the things that are said to be "bad" and had lost 35 lbs in the previous year (140 to 105. but now back up to 112 at 5'1"). I am 44 years old. It is frustraiting to me.

I decided to not buy anything with added sugar. Wow that is hard to find! I am not 100% successful on this, but I watch.

I am a beer drinker (one a day), so I cut this back to about one or two max a week. I can't drink wine at all. Even a sip makes me painfully ill, and trapped in the bathroom for at least an hour.

I had another doctor mention dairy as a possible culprit. I found that when I cut out dairy, my stomach doesn't bloat out like it did almost nightly, especially if I ate yogurt. I take a probioitc in the morning before breakfast instead of the yogurt, and switched to almond milk. I adore almond milk. The only thing I haven't given up is pizza about once a month. I never get sick from it, but it I have found that even the slightest hint of cheese on a salad or taco will cause my stomach to bloat as if I had a ton of dairy.

I was already eating salmon at least once a week, and putting some walnuts on salads, etc. for omega 3's. I was already eating grilled fish for about 4 or 5 meals a week. I make tacos with turkey instead of ground beef. I love chicken, so I will eat that too. I have not given up fried chicken (my absolute favorite food), but I cut that back to about once a month or less.

I was already eating very very very little bread, just brown rice about 90% of the time.

I had cut out all soda from my diet completely for three years. I drink water. I was drinking coffee daily with splenda blend in it. I now drink my coffee black.

I eat only the very darkest of chocolates, cause I love that anyway, but I cut that back to about once a week, and very little of it.

I don't eat any salad dressing, just squeeze some fresh lemon juice on it instead. I don't make my salads with iceberg lettuce, but choose something darker and keep it about 50% spinach.

I am hoping this will make a difference. I don't know what else to do. I know my entire family always has high triglycerides, and don't seem to bat an eyelash over it. They either die of a stroke in their 40's or live until they are in their 90's. No in between. How fast could it kill me to be boardline high for the rest of my life? Although I enjoy fish, and lemon juice on salad, I also enjoy beer, pizza and fried chicken (unless it will kill me fast of course!)

I know you posted a few months ago, but I am about your age and drink and struggled with triglycerides. Keeping my weight in check, exercising and eating fish at least 2 x per week got mine back in check. Good luck.

Fish, red wine and cheese.

My doctor put me on fish oil and it worked!
I remembered I used to take 6 pills of them.

This is what we tell our patients everyday. And diet and exercise of course

Bump,
I have had fasting blood work done recently, everything (blood sugar, cholesterol, glucose) is in the normal range. But my Triglycerides were 6.1 mmol/L were normal is <1.7 mmol/L. I don't drink (maybe once a month), I've cut out refined sugar and carbs. I take a 1000mg fish oil and flaxseed oil tablet everyday. I exercise 6 days a week. I am not sure what else to do. Maybe try the red wine solution a few times a week

My diary is open if anyone has suggestions.

Bump! I've just learned my triglycs are high and there's lots of help in this thread. Thanks to all.

what my Doc told me last year (when mine were high, and I posted this), was to lower fat and saturated fat content...I did just that (and still do)...and ALL of my levels are PERFECT now!!!

that's my biggest recommnedation to any one of you!

that was going to be my approach, that and reducing un-natural sugars, so thanks for confirming it worked, and well done!