Lower Triglycerides Naturally: Triglycerides are a type of fat (lipid) found in the blood. When we eat, our body converts any calories it doesn’t need to use right away into triglycerides. The triglycerides are stored in the fat cells, which are later released by hormones for energy between meals. According to Dr. Ritika Samaddar, Dietician at Max healthcare, “If you are consuming too much sugar in your diet, there is a possibility that your triglyceride levels can be high. Your body has the tendency to convert the excess sugar into triglycerides and then store them as fat”.
Let’s delve deeper.
Table of Contents
Lower Triglycerides Naturally: 10 Tips for a Healthier You
🔬 What Are Triglycerides?
Triglycerides are a type of fat (lipid) found in your blood and are the most common form of fat in the body—making up around 99% of stored fat.
- Structure: Chemically, a triglyceride is an ester made up of glycerol and three fatty acid chains.
- Function: After eating, any unused calories—especially from sugar or fat—are converted into triglycerides and stored in fat cells for energy use later.
🍔 How Do Triglycerides Accumulate?
- When we consume more calories than we burn, especially from:
- Sugary beverages
- High-fat or processed foods
- Alcohol
- The excess energy gets stored as triglycerides, increasing their levels in the blood.
⚠️ Why High Triglycerides Matter (Hypertriglyceridemia):
- Hypertriglyceridemia is the medical term for elevated triglyceride levels.
- It often appears alongside other lipid issues, like:
- High LDL (“bad cholesterol”)
- Low HDL (“good cholesterol”)
These combinations can significantly raise your risk of:
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Atherosclerosis (narrowed arteries)
🚨 Severe Complications:
When triglyceride levels go very high (typically >500 mg/dL), it can trigger acute pancreatitis—a serious and potentially life-threatening condition requiring urgent medical care.
What are Normal and High Triglyceride Levels?
🧪 Triglyceride Levels Chart (mg/dL)
| Category | Triglyceride Level (mg/dL) |
|---|---|
| Normal | Less than 150 |
| Borderline High | 150 – 199 |
| High | 200 – 499 |
| Very High | 500 and above |
🩺 Key Points:
- A normal triglyceride level is < 150 mg/dL.
- Levels between 150–199 mg/dL are borderline high.
- A reading of 200 mg/dL or more is considered high.
- 500 mg/dL and above is classified as very high, indicating greater risk for conditions like pancreatitis.
💡 Did You Know?
Both high triglycerides and low HDL are risk factors for cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes.
High triglycerides often occur with low HDL (“good cholesterol”)—especially when HDL is < 40 mg/dL in men or < 45 mg/dL in women.
🥗 Best Ways to Reduce Triglycerides
✅ 1. Avoid Sugary Foods and Drinks
- Why: Excess sugar gets converted into triglycerides.
- Limit: Cookies, pastries, soft drinks, sweetened fruit juices, desserts.
✅ 2. Choose Whole Grains Over Refined Carbs
- Why: Refined carbs spike blood sugar and triglycerides.
- Eat more of: Multigrain chapatis, quinoa, oats, barley, and millet.
- Avoid: White bread, white rice, pasta from white flour, cornflakes.
✅ 3. Choose Fatty Fish Over Red Meat
- Why: Omega-3 fatty acids help lower triglycerides.
- Best sources: Salmon, sardines, mackerel, tuna, trout.
- How much: At least 2 servings/week.
✅ 4. Add More Nuts and Leafy Greens
- Why: Nuts are high in good fats and antioxidants; greens are low-cal and nutrient-rich.
- Great choices: Almonds, walnuts, pistachios, spinach, kale, Swiss chard.
✅ 5. Increase Plant-Based Proteins
- Why: Beans, lentils, and legumes help reduce triglycerides and improve cholesterol.
- Examples: Chickpeas, soybeans, black beans, lentils, tofu, tempeh.
✅ 6. Eat High-Fibre Foods
- Why: Fibre helps lower triglycerides and LDL.
- Eat more of: Oats, quinoa, brown rice, flaxseed, chia seeds, fruits, vegetables, and legumes.
- Tip: Increase water intake as you increase fibre.
✅ 7. Avoid Trans Fats
- Why: Trans fats raise LDL and triglycerides.
- Avoid: Fried foods, margarine, baked goods (e.g., doughnuts, pies, cookies).
✅ 8. Use Healthy Fats and Oils
- Why: Unsaturated fats improve lipid profile.
- Choose: Olive oil, canola oil, soybean oil, rice bran oil, avocado, nuts, seeds.
- Avoid: Butter, ghee, lard, shortening.
✅ 9. Maintain a Regular Meal Pattern
- Why: Irregular eating can spike triglycerides.
- Tip: Eat small, balanced meals at consistent times throughout the day.
✅ 10. Add Soy Protein
- Why: Plant-based proteins like soy lower triglyceride levels.
- Examples: Tofu, soy milk, edamame, tempeh.
✅ 11. Consume Omega-3-Rich Foods
- Why: Omega-3s lower triglycerides and support heart health.
- Sources: Fatty fish, flaxseed, chia seeds, walnuts, soybeans.
✅ 12. Stay Hydrated
- Why: Water aids in digestion, metabolism, and flushing toxins.
- Tip: Aim for 8+ glasses of water daily, especially with a high-fibre diet.
General recommendations
- Maintain a healthy weight: You may be surprised to discover that a modest weight loss of 5-6 kg can reduce your triglycerides, and cholesterol level, and decrease your risk of heart disease. Eat a healthy diet to lose weight and prevent lifestyle diseases like diabetes, CVD, etc.
- Exercise regularly: Exercise will increase HDL cholesterol and burn off excess triglycerides. Weight-bearing activity, in particular, increases muscle mass and raises your metabolic rate. This will help your body burn more carbohydrates, leaving less storage for triglycerides.
- Quit smoking: Smoking can raise triglyceride levels and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Quitting smoking can help lower triglycerides and improve overall health.
- Limit or quit alcohol: Drinking alcohol raises triglyceride levels. For people who are sensitive, a small amount of alcohol can trigger it.
What are the Medications for High Triglycerides?
If lifestyle changes alone are not sufficient, several medications may be prescribed to help lower high triglyceride levels. Common medications for high triglycerides include:
- Statins: Statins are a class of medications that primarily work by lowering LDL (bad) cholesterol levels but can also modestly reduce triglycerides. Examples include atorvastatin, simvastatin, and rosuvastatin.
- Fibrates: Fibrates are another class of medications that are specifically effective at lowering triglyceride levels. They work by reducing the liver’s production of triglycerides and increasing the removal of triglycerides from the bloodstream. Examples include gemfibrozil and fenofibrate.
- Omega-3 fatty acid supplements: Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish oil supplements, can help lower triglyceride levels, particularly in high doses. They work by reducing the liver’s production of triglycerides and may also improve triglyceride clearance from the bloodstream.
- Bile acid sequestrants: Bile acid sequestrants are medications that primarily work by binding to bile acids in the intestine, which reduces cholesterol absorption and may also modestly lower triglyceride levels. Examples include cholestyramine and colesevelam.
- Prescription fish oil: In some cases, high doses of prescription-strength fish oil may be prescribed to help lower triglyceride levels, particularly in individuals with very high triglycerides. These medications contain concentrated amounts of omega-3 fatty acids.
- For extremely elevated levels, sometimes patient need to be admitted and insulin is administered for rapid decline in levels.
It’s important to note that medication should be used as directed by the doctor, and in conjunction with lifestyle changes. As medication choices are individualised, it’s essential to consult with a healthcare provider to determine the most appropriate treatment plan.
Checkout: 25 foods and 7 days diet to lower triglycerides
10 Ways To Reduce Triglycerides l how to reduce triglycerides naturally
Final words
Managing high triglycerides requires a comprehensive approach that includes lifestyle modifications, dietary changes, and, in some cases, medication. By incorporating healthy habits such as regular exercise, a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and omega-3 fatty acids, and maintaining a healthy weight, individuals can effectively lower triglyceride levels and reduce their
risk of cardiovascular disease. However, those who may need additional support or guidance in managing their triglycerides may consult a specialist at Max Hospitals to receive personalised care and treatment options.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Fastest Way to Lower Triglyceride?
Avoiding sweetened drinks is one of the first things a person should do to reduce triglyceride levels. Exercising regularly will further speed up the process.
2. What Foods Decrease Triglycerides?
Eating a vegetable diet, using MUFA-rich oil substitutes like Canola oil, and incorporating fatty salmon, flax seeds, almonds, etc., will help lower your triglyceride levels.
3. How Long Does it Take for Triglyceride Levels to Lower?
According to a review published in the May 2012 edition of the journal Molecular and Cell Biology of Lipids, visible results can be seen within 1 month of consuming fish liver oils.
4. Do Eggs Raise Triglycerides?
Yes. Eggs contain saturated and trans-fats, which can increase triglyceride levels considerably. Hence, people with high triglyceride levels should avoid eggs.
Written and Verified by:
Endocrinology & Diabetes Meet the doctor
N.B: This article is sourced from Various Websites. This is not the perfect way to treatment, this is for general knowledge purpose only.
