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Simple Methods of Lowering Triglycerides Excess weight, high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol levels are being recognized by more heart and health conscious people as contributing to the risk of stroke and heart disease. While these are very important things to stay on top of, many people overlook another important factor, their triglyceride levels. Armed with the knowledge of what triglycerides are, and what different levels mean, people at risk will gain the tools necessary for lowering triglycerides. Before learning ways to reduce triglycerides, it is prudent to know exactly what they are, and what they represent. Triglycerides are fats as they're stored in the body. They are composed of three (tri) kinds of fats plus alcohol (glycerol). These fats are produced by both the body and from the food a person consumes. The blood stream and the body's fat cells both carry triglycerides. Various coronary artery diseases and forms of diabetes are often linked to high levels of triglycerides. Detection of these levels is a powerful preventative and diagnostic tool. An under 150 triglyceride level is considered normal for most people by the American Heart Association. Borderline-high is defines levels of 150-199, high is categorized as levels between 200 and 499, and 500 and higher is very high. High levels of triglycerides , or hypertriglyceridemia, can be treated by a three-pronged approach of diet, exercise and medications. The preferred treatment methods of most doctors are diet and exercise, with medication being the third choice. Doctors are hesitant to prescribe triglyceride lowering medications because of their potential and severe side effects. Most of the dietary methods for reducing triglycerides are common sense. All food contains calories, and caloric consumption needs to be reduced for the overweight. Drastic reductions of all trans and saturated fats and high cholesterol foods are in order for all patients. Consumption of fruits, vegetable and low and non-fat dairy products should be increased. In addition to these common sense dietary tips, the consumption of alcohol needs to see a significant reduction, as even a minimal alcohol intake can have a significant effect on how many triglycerides are in a person's bloodstream. Eating foods with small amounts of saturated fats or butter is a better choice for high triglyceride patients than are foods containing margarine or monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats like olive or canola oil. Albacore tuna and mackerel contain high levels of omega-3 fatty acids and are far better than fatty meats like hamburger for controlling triglyceride levels. People with high triglycerides must increase their level of exercise. The recommended exercise routine for most people would be five 30 minute sessions per week of jogging, running or other aerobic exercises. For people who have difficulty finding the time to perform these tasks, they should consider getting one of these machines in a room with a television, and use it while watching the evening news, or their favorite show. An important step to ensuring good cardiovascular health is lowering triglycerides. To accomplish this, people need to improve their diet, by reducing intake of alcohol and certain kinds of fatty foods, and increase intake of fruits, vegetables, and certain fish. Proper exercise is also important, with five 30 minute sessions a week being considered ideal by most doctors. People who adopt these recommendations will be doing their hearts a big favor.

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