Hypertriglyceridaemia: what can you do about it?

What exactly are triglycerides?

Like cholesterol, triglycerides are a type of lipid. They are produced when we consume fats, especially saturated fats, as well as when the liver converts them from sugars and alcohol.

These insoluble fatty acids are stored in adipose tissue for release as and when the body needs energy.

The problem is that an excessively high level of blood triglycerides is a risk factor for certain health conditions such as cardiovascular disease.

What constitutes a healthy blood triglyceride level?

The upper level recommended for blood triglycerides is 1.7 mmol/L of blood.

A level below that is considered normal and safe.

Elevated triglycerides: what are the symptoms?

Having a high level of blood triglycerides is generally asymptomatic. In other words, you probably won’t realise there’s a problem unless you have a blood test...

In more severe forms, however, a number of symptoms may develop:

• abdominal pain;
• a change in general condition;
• the appearance of yellowish skin lesions, called eruptive xanthomatosis.

What are the risks?

In the short term, a high blood triglyceride level known as hypertriglyceridaemia, will not cause pain, fatigue or loss of energy.

But in the medium and long term, it presents a real risk to health. It promotes the onset of atherosclerosis (the formation of fatty deposits in the arteries). The arteries may become clogged, potentially blocking blood flow, which can result in thrombosis, phlebitis, heart attack or stroke.

Causes of hypertriglyceridaemia

Elevated blood triglyceride levels are usually caused by poor dietary habits. The risk is particularly high in cases of excessive consumption of sugars, alcohol and unhealthy fats.

The problem may originate in metabolic disorders such as diabetes, excess weight and obesity.

Hypertriglyceridaemia can also be caused by genetic abnormalities.

There are also several drugs that can increase blood triglycerides such as corticosteroids, as well as some anti-psychotic and anti-viral medications, and certain contraceptives.

Finally, other factors likely to affect triglyceride levels include:

• advancing age;
• smoking;
• lack of exercise.

What can you do about elevated triglycerides?

As the problem is usually asymptomatic, the first step is to talk to your doctor and arrange to have a blood test if you suspect you have hypertriglyceridaemia.

If it turns out you do have elevated triglyceride levels, there are a number of ways you can address the problem.

Change your diet

The most urgent step is to modify your eating habits. First and foremost, you need to reduce your consumption of fast-release sugars including fructose. Eating more vegetables and wholegrains will always help and yield benefits.

You’ll also need to eat less saturated fat, reducing your consumption of butter, charcuterie, cheese, fatty meats, and above all, processed foods.

Instead, you should focus on fish including oily fish, and lean meats, as well as water, olive oil, avocados, dried fruit…

Drink less alcohol and coffee, and don’t smoke

If you’re a regular drinker, reducing your consumption of alcohol should be a high priority.

Stimulants are also aggravating factors. Coffee and triglycerides don’t mix... and the same goes for cigarettes.

Adopt new, healthier habits

Apart from poor dietary habits, certain lifestyle factors can also promote high blood triglycerides. These include stress, a sedentary lifestyle and excess weight.

Taking regular exercise, going out more often and adopting an altogether more positive lifestyle will definitely have a beneficial effect.

What if it’s caused by medication?

Keep in mind that certain drug treatments can increase blood triglycerides. If you’re at all worried, speak to your doctor.

How are elevated triglycerides treated?

Drugs

Your doctor may ultimately prescribe lipid-lowering drugs.

These primarily include statins, as well as ezetimibe, and fibrates.

Of course, taking such medications is not without risk and may indeed cause side-effects. They should always be taken under regular medical supervision.

Natural substances that can help

There are several natural substances that can help in the case of elevated triglyceride levels:

• one such option is omega-3 essential fatty acids which help maintain normal triglyceride levels (1);
• red yeast rice, from which monacolin K is derived, has been found in several studies to be a natural alternative to statins (2), and is sometimes prescribed by doctors for very high triglyceride levels;
• pantethine, a derivative of vitamin B5, is being studied for its potential to lower excess triglycerides and ‘bad’ cholesterol (see Pantethine) (3);
• the composition of Lipo Stop (a blend of extracts of Curcuma longa root, Moringa oleifera leaf and Murraya koenigii leaf) may also have a positive effect on cholesterol and triglyceride levels (4-6);
• last but not least, there’s short-chain triglycerides (7), which are rapidly converted into ketones and not stored in adipose tissue (you’ll find them, for example, in Organic MCT Oil).