What Creates Triglycerides? Triglycerides, a normal component of blood, are introduced into the body by the fat in foods. Some are produced in the liver as the body’s response to a diet high in simple sugars or carbohy- drates—especially hydrogenated oils and trans-fats.
Evidence reported by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute sug- gests that very high intakes of carbo- hydrates are accompanied by a rise in triglycerides, noting that, “Carbohydrate intakes should be limited to 60 percent of total calories.” Many research scientists agree that the main cause for high triglyceride levels is the Standard American Diet, notoriously high in sugars and simple carbohydrates, trans-fats and saturated animal fats, and far too low in complex carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals; specifically, vitamins A, B, C, D and es- pecially E, plus the minerals selenium, magnesium, silicon and chromium. Sugars added to soft drinks and food products, especially those containing high-fructose corn syrup, also raise triglyceride levels significantly. Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum, author of
From Fatigued to Fantastic! and na- tional medical director of the Fibromy- algia and Fatigue Centers, observes, “The average American gets about 150 pounds of sugar added to his/her diet each year from processed food, causing
fatigue, metabolic syndrome, diabetes and a host of other problems.” Animal fats, like those in farm-raised red meats, typically contain a skewed ratio of the fats known as omega-3 and omega-6, with the latter dominating by nearly 20:1; a ratio also found in com- mercial packaged foods and baked goods. Many studies show such a high omega-6/omega-3 ratio tends to promote disease. Eating oily fish and healthy plant oils such as cold-pressed virgin olive and coconut oil, nuts, seeds and minimally prepared foods provides a more balanced ratio of omega fatty acids.
Lowering Triglyceride Levels Part of today’s medical paradigm focuses on lowering LDL (bad) choles- terol. As a result, many patients and doctors worry about cholesterol levels, but ignore triglycerides. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends a triglyceride level of 100 milligrams per deciliter or less; about one-third of the population currently exceeds this. While drugs can help, the AHA does not recommend drug therapy except for people that have severe levels (more than 500mg/dL), which can increase the risk of acute pancreatitis. For those with high, but not severe levels, dietary and other lifestyle changes can be ef- fective in lowering triglyceride levels. Logically, reducing consumption of red meat and processed foods, especially
those containing trans-fats, and increas- ing consumption of complex carbohy- drates from whole grains, vegetables, fruits, nuts and legumes is recommended. AHA studies further show that daily sup- plementation of fish oil and full-spectrum vitamin E can reduce serum triglyceride levels significantly. In one study, fish oil containing at least 1,000 to 3,000 mg of omega-3 decreased such concentrations by 25 to 30 percent. In a 2009 study of a nationally
representative group of 5,610 people published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, Dr. Earl S. Ford, of the U. S. Centers for Disease Control, found that about one-third had triglyceride levels above 150 mg/dL—considered somewhat high—while almost another 20 percent had high levels of 200-plus mg/dL. Always consult a knowledgeable
health practitioner prior to beginning a new regimen. Just as with managing any aspect of health, care is required and knowledge is power.
James Occhiogrosso, a natural health practitioner and master herbalist, specializes in salivary hormone test- ing and natural hormone balancing. His latest book is Your Prostate, Your Libido, Your Life. Find relevant articles at
HealthNaturallyToday.com. Connect at 239-498-1547 or DrJim@Health
NaturallyToday.com.
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natural awakenings March 2013 49
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