Friday, April 22, 2011

How to Lower Your Triglycerides

Research on High Triglycerides Levels 





For years high cholesterol has gotten most of the attention. But recently scientists discovered that it's high triglycerides, not high cholesterol that is the most significant indicator of cardiovascular disease.






Here are 3 important reasons to learn how to lower triglycerides naturally:






1.A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows, if you have high triglycerides, your risk of heart disease or stroke is 2-3 times greater – even if you have low cholesterol. [Vol. 86: 943-49]










2.Drugs for lowering triglycerides have serious side effects. The American Heart Association recommends that medications only be considered after all ways to lower triglycerides naturally have been exhausted.














3.Eating foods to lower triglycerides naturally has been shown to cut a person's risk of stroke and sudden cardiac death in half.






To get the best results, keep these triglyceride parameters in mind:






•To totally minimize risk factors, aim for a count below 150 mg/dl.


•Levels of 150 to 199 mg/dl are thought to be borderline-high.


•Over 200 mg/dl are still high and put you at serious risk.


•Triglyceride levels of 500 mg/dl are extremely high.






How to Lower Triglycerides Naturally






Since triglycerides are forms of fats, you might think less fat in your diet would be the most important dietary step to lower triglycerides. It's not.






The main culprit is sugar!






That's right, the main foods causing high triglycerides levels are refined carbohydrate foods high on the glycemic index foods list. Sugar is why even a little alcohol causes big increases in blood plasma triglycerides.






Here's the triglycerides diet of foods to lower triglycerides:






1.Switch from high glycemic carbohydrates to a low glycemic diet.


2.Replace bad fats with good fats, like fish oil and olive oil.


3.Increase your high fiber foods, fruits and vegetables.


4.Eat more healthy lean high protein foods.










Also follow these healthy lifestyle and dietary guidelines:










5.If you smoke or drink, quit immediately.


6.Add at least a half-hour of physical activity a day.


7.Lower your dietary fat intake to 25% to 30% of calories.


8.Reduce food calories to achieve permanent healthy weight loss. 





More reading at http://commonsensehealth.com/Diet-and-Nutrition/Best_Foods_to_Lower_Triglycerides_Naturally.shtml