triglyceride

Question
My husbands trigceride level increased 5 x level since last check up.  What diet should he follow to reduced his level?  Thank you, Cindy Helgesen

Answer
Cindy,

Let me make sure I understand what has happened.  You are saying that your husband's triglyceride level has increased by a factor of five times since his last check-up?  For example; it was 100 and now it is 500?

If this is correct:
First, your husband and his doctor should be asking, "What may have caused this to happen?" Because this is not normal.  They need to look at causes for such high triglyceride levels; 1) diabetes, 2) kidney failure, 3) excessive alcohol intake.  Also, did your husband fast (no calories) for 10-12 hours before this recent test?  Is his prior triglyceride believable?  Does he have more than one old test, and what do they say?

In short, they need to be sure that such a large increase has actually occurred.  Errors can occur for whatever reason.  I've had patients who have their labs checked each year and the results are: 150, 130, 140, 60, 160.  When something doesn't look right, I don't necessarily believe it and I look for a reason.

Triglyceride levels can be high due to genetics, but then ALL of his old tests would have been high also.  Triglyceride levels can go up significantly (maybe double) by going to a high carbohydrate diet.  Triglyceride levels can go up significantly (maybe double or triple) by regular excessive drinking of alcohol.  If triglyceride levels go up five times and it is not due to diet and/or alcohol, I would be very suspicious that something else is going on.

If his triglycerides truly did increase five times, then you may just need to go back to the way he was eating when his triglycerides were lower.  The lifestyle changes to help lower triglyceride levels are:
1) Decreasing simple carbohydrates (sweets & sugars) in your diet
2) Eat fewer total calories (low calorie diet)
3) Losing weight if you are overweight
4) Regular exercise

Simple Carbohydrates are foods from processed grains and are usually high in sugar and low in fiber.  For example: candy, cookies, cakes, soda pop, fruit juice, alcohol, white bread and snack crackers.  Bananas and some potatoes are also considered simple carbohydrates.

For more info, go here:
http://www.lipid-clinic.com/diet.html
http://www.lipid-clinic.com/lipids.html

I hope this helps and let me know what you find out.

Thanks.

Todd
www.Lipid-Clinic.com

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