Triglycerides are specific types of fat used by the body to create energy. A high triglyceride count increases a person's risk for health conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and high blood sugar levels. Common causes of high triglyceride levels include diabetes, obesity, and excessive alcohol consumption. Triglyceride treatment begins with diagnosing and treating any underlying medical conditions that may be contributing to the high triglyceride levels. Common choices for triglyceride treatment include dietary and lifestyle changes as well as the use of nutritional supplements or prescription medications.
There are usually no noticeable symptoms in those who have high triglyceride levels. In fact, this problem is typically found during routine blood work or when the doctor is testing the blood for some other reason. Once the high levels have been diagnosed, further tests may be ordered to determine if there are any underlying medical conditions, such as diabetes or kidney disease, causing the triglyceride levels to become elevated.
If the patient is a moderate to heavy drinker, triglyceride treatment may begin with limiting alcohol consumption. Some people are particularly sensitive to alcohol, and even one alcoholic drink can elevate triglyceride levels. In these people, all alcohol consumption will have to stop in order to return the triglycerides to normal levels. Repeated blood tests may be necessary in order to determine if an individual has this type of sensitivity to drinking alcohol.
Patients who are significantly overweight are more susceptible to developing high triglyceride levels. For these people, triglyceride treatment involves eating a healthy, balanced diet and losing excess weight. Carbohydrates and unhealthy fats should be consumed sparingly when trying to maintain a healthy diet. A moderate exercise program can help a person maintain a healthy weight as well as promote overall heart health. Diabetics should be sure to keep blood sugar levels as normal as possible.
Prescription medications are sometimes used as a triglyceride treatment in those who have not had success with dietary or lifestyle changes. While these medications can lower the triglyceride levels in the blood, there are potential negative side effects associated with many of these medications. Some of these side effects may include stomach upset, muscle pain, or heart problems. Many people prefer to use dietary supplements such as fish oil tablets as a more natural triglyceride treatment. These tablets can be purchased without a prescription at most drug stores.