What type of diet is best for optimal triglyceride levels?
Since triglycerides are circulating forms of fat, you might think that a high fat diet will raise triglycerides and a low fat diet would lower triglycerides. However, carbohydrate appears to be the most important dietary predictor of triglycerides. Diets high in carbohydrates, especially sugar, lead to increases in triglycerides. • What drug treatments are recommended for uncontrolled triglyceride levels? For many people, uncontrolled triglycerides are caused by another disorder – like diabetes, obesity, renal failure, or alcoholism. Therefore the treatment strategy is to treat the primary cause. When high triglycerides are not caused by another disorder, they are often seen together with high cholesterol. Treatment is directed toward lowering both cholesterol and triglycerides. If diet fails, drug treatment is generally recommended. • Can exercise help with triglyceride levels? Yes. Exercise is especially helpful in lowering triglycerides and raising HDL (which tends to decrease when
