Diet to Lower Triglycerides: An Overview
When a person is diagnosed with
high triglycerides, his or her healthcare provider may suggest a low-
triglyceride diet. Combined with exercise and weight loss, dietary changes are effective in reducing triglycerides to a normal level.
Recommendations for a Low-Triglyceride Diet
- No more than 7 to 10 percent of total calories coming from saturated fat
- Limiting the total amount of fat in your diet to under 30 percent
- Limiting the amount of cholesterol in your diet
- Eating only enough calories to achieve or maintain a healthy weight
- Adding certain foods or supplements, such as fish and fish oil.
As part of this diet, you should also limit or eliminate the use of alcohol. Alcohol can significantly increase triglyceride levels.
Fish and Fish Oil as Part of a Diet to Lower Triglycerides
- Salmon
- Tuna
- Lake trout
- Herring
- Sardines
- Mackerel.
Fish oil, a supplement that is made from the tissues of these oily fish, can also lower triglyceride levels. Fish and fish oil supplements contain two omega-3 fatty acids -- eicosapentaenoic and
docosahexaenoic acids (EPA and
DHA). These omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to have several health benefits, including:
- Decreased triglyceride levels
- Decreased risk of arrhythmias (irregular heart rhythms), which can lead to sudden death
- Decreased risk of blood clots
- Decreased risk of atherosclerosis
- Lowered blood pressure
- Improved health of arteries.
Because of these benefits, foods and supplements containing omega-3 fatty acids can have labels that state their ability to reduce
heart disease and the risk of sudden death. You should talk to your healthcare provider to see if he or she recommends fish and/or fish oil as part of a low-triglyceride diet.
