how can i lower my triglycerides quickly and effectivly..the

steph8008
steph8008 Posts: 9 Member
I'm 30, 5ft 4 and 178 lbs AND MY TRIGLYERIDES ARE OVER 500! I eat lots of spinach, reduced sugars and carbs. And walk about 3 to 4 days a week. I take The max allowed fishoil supplement. But do not like to eat fish! What else can I do to lower my triglycerides???! I do NOT WANT TO GO ON MEDS!

Replies

  • kaaatielove
    kaaatielove Posts: 248 Member
    i hear omega 3s lower the triglyceride level..
    my dietician told me that this evening.. =)
  • jacquerd
    jacquerd Posts: 121 Member
    Do you eat meat? Here is a quick article on the basics:

    http://www.umassmed.edu/uploadedfiles/LoweringTriglycerides.pdf
  • steph8008
    steph8008 Posts: 9 Member
    I do eat meat...chicken or venison..which are both lean.
  • Wow, high. My doctor said fish oil and lots of exercise. What did your doctor say? Numbers like that maybe you've got some genes working against you or something.
  • steph8008
    steph8008 Posts: 9 Member
    @ kaaatie....I do take omega3...the fishoil...I was just thinking that alone prob won't reduce my triglycerides by a couple hundred points???
  • steph8008
    steph8008 Posts: 9 Member
    @router...mom said no genes that she is aware and my whole fam thinks they got the tests mixed up..but insurance will only cover a cholestrol check once a year! I don't know if they got them mixed up but I sure want to get those #s down!
  • NiciS72
    NiciS72 Posts: 1,043 Member
    Just a thought, but have you had your thyroid checked? My overall cholesterol was good but triglycerides were in the 300's when I was first diagnosed with Hypothyroid. It can cause it to go out of whack (among other things). Also, a high protein/low carb diet can help too. Good luck!
  • raevynn
    raevynn Posts: 666 Member
    Mine dropped dramatically, along with total cholesterol, when I went vegan.

    I suggest watching the movie "Forks over Knives". It is available to watch now on Netflix.
  • steph8008
    steph8008 Posts: 9 Member
    @ nici....HYPOTHYROID IS VERY VERY PREVELENT IN MY FAM. However I have that checked at my annual every year and they said its normal. SHOULD I GET A SEC OPINION OR SEE A SPECIALIST OF SOME SORT?
  • NiciS72
    NiciS72 Posts: 1,043 Member
    @ nici....HYPOTHYROID IS VERY VERY PREVELENT IN MY FAM. However I have that checked at my annual every year and they said its normal. SHOULD I GET A SEC OPINION OR SEE A SPECIALIST OF SOME SORT?

    I would definitely see an endocronologist if you can. What a GP says is normal an endo will not. The NORMAL range for thyroid is generally 0.5 to 5.5. That said my endo wants mine between 0.5 and 1.0. I'm much better with it under 1 and feel a heck of a lot better. OH and my triglycerides are also in line now, good is high and bad is low. All is copasetic.
  • JNick77
    JNick77 Posts: 3,783 Member
    Assuming your thyroid is okay you can try and reduce your carb intake for a while. There is some evidence that suggests triglycerides increase as carb consumption increases.
  • I don't know about lowering TAGs quickly, but effectively:

    - Change your diet. This includes replacing animal fats with plant sterols and fatty acids such as olive, peanut, and canola oils and nuts. Fatty fish is good. Fiber is too (most vegetables and fruits). Try replacing some foods in your diet for foods that provide more nutrition that can help you regulate your TAG levels.

    - Lose weight - According to your profile, your BMI > 30 placing you at borderline overweight/obese level. No matter how healthy your diet may be, you may simply be eating more than you need. Eating fewer calories could be a good start.

    - Exercise - Along with a host of beneficial effects on the body, your body becomes better capable of regulating fat transport and storage with regular exercise. I'd increase the intensity and frequency of your exercising, perhaps by trying an elliptical machine, taking an aerobics class, taking dancing lessons, running, playing outdoors with friends/family, or trying some weight-training.

    - Minimize alcohol - Even a glass of wine or two per day could be causing problems. Alcohol makes your fat storage and transport function less than optimally, possibly leading to elevated TAG levels. Cutting alcohol down/ out can make a difference.

    - Your problem could be the result of metabolic dysregulation - Without knowing your lifestyle or health history, it's hard to pinpoint any causes for your elevated TAG levels. However, your levels of 500 mg/dL are really high and put you at risk for some serious cardiovascular problems. Please get yourself tested for the enzymes involved in the synthesis, storage, and degradation of TAG and associated proteins that affect these pathways. An endocrinologist will know what to do.

    For more info about TAGs, BMI, and treatment, please visit the Mayo Clinic's website for : http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/triglycerides/CL00015/NSECTIONGROUP=2

    Really hope this helps!
  • steph8008
    steph8008 Posts: 9 Member
    @nici and mashame.....THAT WAS UNBELIEVABLY HELPFUL! Cutting out most carbs will be hard but helpful. My pcp was referring me to a dietician. Thanks for the ENDO tip...ill def go see one! I know I need to lose weight! And can't seem to lose...ill see a endo bc that might be a part of why I can't lose...if I am any stricter ill be miserable!! Thanks guys!!!!
  • Not sure if you are interested in nutritional supplements, just throwing it out there for your review.
    My husbands TRIs and LDLS were high, though not as high as yours. Doctor wanted to put him on RX drugs, which my husband did not want to do.

    So we looked at other options that did seem to work for him, to improve his cholesterol numbers.

    He changed his vitamins to the Heart Health GNC product. (a Gold Card membership gives you discounts, also drugstore.com sometimes runs sales) It is three pills a day, taken in the AM and PM (1 am 2 in PM)

    Womens version-
    http://www.gnc.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4033462&cp=3593185.3593203.2510318

    Mens Version-
    http://www.gnc.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4033440

    He increased his fish oil dramatically, and switched to a liquid version. (he takes a tablespoon or two a day, hes a large guy)

    http://www.vitacost.com/Carlson-The-Very-Finest-Fish-Oil

    http://www.vitacost.com/Carlson-The-Very-Finest-Fish-Oil-Orange

    http://www.vitacost.com/Vitacost-Liquid-Finest-Fish-Oil-Omega-3-DHA-EPA

    http://www.vitacost.com/Vitacost-Liquid-Omega-3-Purified-Fish-Oil-EPA-DHA

    He starting taking Red Yeast Rice, which can work similar to cholesterol lowering drugs but with less side effects. (three a day)

    http://www.vitacost.com/NSI-Red-Yeast-Rice

    He did not change weight, diet or exercise, though did also try to add in oatmeal daily when he could. Sometimes hes good at this, other times, no oatmeal for months. :)

    Anyway, last two DR checks have showed a good improvement for him, and the DR no longer wants to put him on an RX.

    He is now working on diet and exercise also.

    Cholesterol can be genetically linked also, I have a friend in a similar situation, and nothing she did helped, including prescriptive drugs. She is not overweight and eats clean. But her genetics are the factor. She is now on a very strict Dr and dietician monitored program, which does help. But she is only allowed 1100 calories a day, per her Doctor.
  • ASiters
    ASiters Posts: 8 Member
    Mine are high as well. To lower them obviously lose weight (if you need to) and exercise. On top of that cut out as much of the whites as you can (flour, salt, and sugar). Only eat wheat... so that means no pasta, bread, etc. It should help lower them!
  • 500 is high but nowhere near as mine a month ago. I was tested at 1180. I'm 30yrs old workout every day. Athlete since out of my mother's womb. He almost put me on meds. I refused and went on a diet. I cut out all breads and grains for a month except oatmeal every morning with cinnamon. I added about 5-10 servings a day of vegetables. Lean meats and fish. 4 fish oil pills a day. I had another test after 1 month and triglycerides were at 56. The doctor thought I was taking meds.

    Hdl went from 22 to 64. Cut out sugars, bread and anything processed. I ate a very clean diet. Not even a drop of ketchup.
This discussion has been closed.