A few weeks ago I told you about Terry, his triglycerides were high. After hearing what that meant for his health he wanted to know how to lower triglycerides naturally.
Why Bother To Lower High Triglycerides?
When your triglycerides are too high you damage the lining of your arteries, and this results in fatty build ups. As this goes on the blood flow becomes increasingly restricted.
A common place for this to happen is the heart. Unless you do something to lower your triglycerides you could be heading for a heart attack, which happens when an artery gets completely blocked.
This narrowing of arteries can happen anywhere in the body, it can end up causing all sorts of problems like strokes, kidney failure, blindness, all sorts.
Terry is 48 and has a wife and 2 kids. He wants to be around for them a good bit longer, but his really high triglycerides are going to put a spanner in the works if he doesn’t change.
He’s a heart attack waiting to happen quite frankly, but being guilty of the 3 main causes of high triglycerides he’s got a lot of room to manoeuvre to improve his lifespan.
How To Lower Triglycerides Naturally
When it comes to how to lower triglycerides naturally, it’s all about reducing what you’re doing that’s causing them. And doing more of what reduces them. It’s more effective doing it naturally rather than opting for pills.
Eat Plenty of Healthy Fats
Eating enough of the right kind of fat, especially omega 3 fats, helps reduce triglycerides. The other benefit to eating enough healthy fats is that they curb your appetite.
Eat things like avocados, seeds, nuts, oily fish.
Increase Activity
Your muscles need energy to function. When you move around more, your muscles take up triglycerides from your blood to burn. Obviously this lowers your triglycerides.
Taking some regular exercise even if that’s just walking, really helps.
Lose Weight
The less excess body fat you carry around, the less triglycerides you’ll have in your blood.
Losing weight is easier said than done, especially if you’re not armed with the right info. If you’re ready I can help you with this.
Reduce Calorie Intake
If you regularly eat more than you need, particularly in the form of refined carbs, you’ll probably have high triglycerides.
Your body has to control its blood level of glucose, so excess intake of refined carbs (which are absorbed as glucose) are converted to triglycerides before being sent to your fat stores.
Eating the right amount of healthy fats can help curb you appetite and cravings for too many carbs. Especially avoid processed and refined stuff as much as possible – they are the most harmful.
Drink in Moderation
Booze has a very potent effect on your blood triglycerides, even small amounts push your levels up. This is one of the reasons why alcohol is linked to heart disease so strongly.
Binge drinking massively push up your triglycerides, which is why this sort of drinking is best avoided.
Sensible drinking is fine. 14U per week for women, and 21U per week for men – spread them out and have a couple of days off.
Medication
Check the medication you’re on – some has the side effect of pushing up your triglycerides. If you spot this go and have a chat with you doctor.
Have a great week, take care
Dr Julie
