What is the Treatment to Lower Triglycerides?

The term triglyceride refers to the form that fats are most commonly found in food and in your body. Some triglycerides are made by your body and some enter your body through the foods you eat. If you eat more calories then you burn, the excess is stored in the fat cells as triglycerides to be used for future energy needs. Having too high a level of triglycerides is called hypertriglyceridemia and it puts you at risk for heart disease and possibly diabetes. It is important to know what your triglyceride level is and to take appropriate steps to lower it if levels are elevated.

Healthy Levels

• The following are normal and high triglyceride levels based on a measurement that is taken after you have fasted. A healthy level is lower then than 150 mg/dL and borderline high is between 150 and 199 mg/dL. You are diagnosed with high triglyceride level if your reading is between 200 and 499 mg/dL and dangerous levels are readings over 500 mg/dL or higher.

Watch Your Calorie Intake

• According to the American Heart Association, the primary treatment for lowering triglyceride levels is changing lifestyle habits. Consuming just enough calories to maintain a healthy weight, or cutting back your intake to get to a healthy weight is your first step. This includes cutting back carbohydrates, proteins and fats.

Develop Healthy Eating Habits

• Read food labels and cut down on your intake of saturated fats, trans fats and cholesterol. Watch your level of alcohol consumption. Even small amounts of alcohol can lead to large changes in triglyceride levels. Make sure you have a balanced diet that includes all of the food groups including fruits and vegetables.

Find Substitutions

• Switch any dairy products you use to low-fat or fat-free versions. Cut down on meats and instead choose fish like mackerel, lake trout, herring, sardines, albacore, tuna and salmon that are are high in omega-3 fatty acids.

Exercise

• To help lower your triglyceride levels, you should aim for between 30 and 45 minutes of moderate cardiovascular exercise at least five days per week. This includes walking, biking, dancing or swimming.