HELP!! High Triglycerides

Updated on April 12, 2011
K.K. asks from San Diego, CA
16 answers

My husband's triglycerides are thru the roof!!! in four digit numbers. We don't get it because he eats good, has been on a diet, has lost a lot of weight, and is exercising everyday. He's isn't fat nor skinny, he has cut down on portions and like i said, changed his diet, but apparently that isn't enough because his triglycerides are so high . I need ideas of what to cook. Meat, he can only have once a week-ok. but fish and chicken he can have and i'm running out of ideas how to cook non greasy chicken or fish. I always give him veggies with his meal, he has oat meal for breakfast, he has even cut down on eggs. But dinner is my main concern. My mother in law mention cooking "grape oil" have you heard of that, is it healthier than olive oil? or is there any good cook books that aren't so complicated , easy to follow for "dieters" thank you

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So What Happened?

thanks ladies. well last week his triglycerides were in the four digit mark, today (he just got his results) came down to three digits, went down half of what they were. He's been taking some medication and i think that helped him. But he doesn't like the idea of taking medication (always) so we're gonna keep bringing his tri' back down and once down we will try and maintain it at that. and Yes, his family (grandmother) had the same problem but not as dangerous . :( thank you all again

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G.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

My husband has extremely high triglycerides too. We did everything we could to lower them and nothing worked except medication. With the medication they went down no matter what he ate or did. So we went back to a more normal style of eating and didn't worry so much about the diet and stress over it.

If he is enjoying his lifestyle then it is just one of those things and the doc is the only one that can help him change his levels.

2 moms found this helpful
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T.S.

answers from Dallas on

Let me know if you'd like some info about nutritional supplements that have been clinically proven to lower triglycerides... Good luck to you!

1 mom found this helpful

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D.D.

answers from Los Angeles on

is he on medication? and is he working out properly? are you eating organic? and unprocessed foods? grapeseed oil is better to cook w/ b/c it doesn't lose its nutrients when heated up..olive oil does..you can also cook w/ coconut oil..he might be eating more calories than his body is burning..could be good for him to get w/ a knowledgeable trainer at a gym who can work w/ him on proper workouts and nutrition..or even go see a nutritionist..i know of a trainer at the gym i go to who is also studying to be a doctor..if you'd like his info let me know and i'll get it..his name is Joe ..don't know his last name and he trains at the Equinox in Pasadena..
have him start his day w/ a cup of hot water..1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper and squeeze a whole lemon into it..very good for cleansing the system..then an herbal tea..like dandelion root..good for cleansing the liver and blood..
you can also go to Wholefoods and talk to a nutritionist that works in the vitamin area..they all know a lot..
you may also want to get a book called Prescription for Nutritional Healing..its $25 at Wholefoods and i think u can get it on Amazon.com

good luck..sorry i don't know more

D.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.D.

answers from Minneapolis on

Has he tried taking fish oil? Mega Red has a really good Krill Oil that both my son and I take (genetic high cholesterol) and it has made a huge difference. My son's tri's were high 3 digits and I brought it down to 2 digits, and brought his good cholesterol from really low to normal levels.

1 mom found this helpful
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B.D.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Take it from someone who tried to 'fix' their cholesterol numbers by changing their diet only to see their numbers go UP. That's when it is definitely hereditary and time for medication. A statin drug will bring them down and you/he won't have to stress over what he eats.

1 mom found this helpful

C.R.

answers from Dallas on

Mine were also very high once upon a time. Cut out the process carbs! I mean processed breads, pasta, rice and potatoes and corn. Sugar is also a no no. . These items in excess are converted into triglycerides. Eat proteins and all the veggies you want. And have him begin (if he's not already) to take a good fish oil supplement and some garlic too. I did not lower my fat intake, as alot of people will tell you to do to get them down. I tried but it did not help. I did alot of reading/research on the subject and I believe it has saved my life.
Best Regards,
C.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.V.

answers from New York on

Tell him to ask his doctor about putting him on fenofibrate - my numbers were very high also (around 550), and this medication finally did the trick, in addition to watching my fat intake of course. If his numbers are that dangerously high, chances are he will not be able to control it by diet alone. Try baking or grilling chicken and fish instead of frying - you can get away with just a spritz or two of oil and use lots of spices so it doesn't taste too bland. Good luck to him!

1 mom found this helpful

C.M.

answers from Washington DC on

my husband had the same problem. He had to go on medication for it. For him it just runs in his family. His dad died very young (in his 40's) because of this. He didn't really do much to change his diet, but he does work out ALOT. He stopped taking the meds for a while and he was just re tested and it was lower, but still a little high. So, now he is taking a herbal remidy for it. I can't remember the name, but he is doing SO much better. I think sometimes it just runs in the family and there really isn't a whole lot you can do for it except exercize, eat healthy, and possibly take meds for it

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O.L.

answers from Los Angeles on

My husband just went through the same thing with his triglycerides. For dinner I do a lot of marinated/grilled chicken or salad, in a whole wheat tortilla or wrap with hummus inside, chicken with brown rice, you can do fish, and I was told to do very little red meat. He also needs to cut down or cut back on alcohol, if he drinks. Try doing whole grain/whole wheat recipes. You can do whole wheat lasagna and whole wheat pasta with chicken, lowfat cheese, etc. There are plenty of things he CAN eat. BTW, sometimes high triglycerides has to do with people's genes, not necessarily just what he is eating.

1 mom found this helpful
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C.K.

answers from Orlando on

Dear Krys,

Good nutrition helps everything.

According to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition,2005 - researchers have confirmed that a diet rich in fiber and vegetables works just as well at controlling your increased cholesterol levels...without the side effects of Statin drugs.

But, produce needs to be Vine Ripened ... This allows the nutrients to develop in the food so our bodies can absorb. And, they need to be fresh 75% of the nutrients are lost within 5 days of picking.

Have you heard of Juice Plus+ Juice Plus+ is not a substitue for a actually eating a wide variety of fruits and vegetables every day; it simply helps bridge the gap between what we should eat and what we do eat. That's why we call it "the next best thing to eating fruits and vegetables.

Please check out the 11 minute video on my website www.vineripejuiceplus.com (a picture is worth a thousand words).

If I can help you further let's talk.

For better health,
C.

PS ... Juice Plus+ is the most thoroughly researched brand-name nutritional product on the market today.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.G.

answers from Los Angeles on

Eliminate “stripped carbohydrates” (in all their various forms
like sugar [sucrose], flour, enriched white flour, enriched bleached
flour, enriched wheat flour, wheat flour, semolina flour, white rice,
maltodextrin, glucose, fructose, malt syrup, corn starch, dextrose,
and levulose). Go for whole grain, whole wheat, etc. Use Truvia or Stevia or honey as your sweetener.
Add high fiber foods. Use Benefiber if necessary.
Foods that can lower cholesterol include: Oat bran, blueberries, fish, garlic and apples. Nuts, beans, foods with plant sterols, olive oil, and soy protein also help to reduce cholesterol levels, oatmeal, bananas, broccolli, cheerios, grapefruits, skim milk, natural peanut butter, apple sauce, grits, plain yogurt, orange juice, cranberry juice, cantaloupe among others.
Good luck!!!!

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K.W.

answers from Los Angeles on

You don't say whether or not he's eating refined carbohydrates, or "white foods", ie. white flour, white rice, potatoes, sugar, all of which are terrible for triglycerides.

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N.L.

answers from Los Angeles on

Simple sugars (i.e., candy, jam, or any other sweets) - significantly contribute to elevated triglycerides. Sometimes people think that fatty products is the culprit. Also, add a lot of fiber in the diet, as it helps to get the fat out of the system.

High triglycerides is usually an indication of a liver problem. Ask your doctor is milk thistle supplement is in order. It is an herbal supplement that helps to detoxify the liver.

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G.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

How much alcohol does he drink.
Sugar and alcohol in the diet are both culprits in raising TG levels in addition to high fat / high saturated fat foods. I would watch the simple carbohydrates which translate to sugar quickly in the blood (white rice, white bread, donuts, low fiber (under 3grams/serving) grains of any kind really).
We love chicken breast baked in BBQ sauce... you can eat it hot with veggies and fresh fruit as sides or put it in a big salad with corn, black beans, tomatoes, etc...

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B.K.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi Krys!

Glad his levels are coming down! I have to agree with Melanie - KRILL OIL!
This is the way to go. My girlfriend was put on Crestor to lower her levels instead of filling the prescription she started taking K-48 Krill Oil and when she went back to have her levels rechecked they were normal!! Her doctor says, "Looks like the Crestor is working for you, we'll keep you on that." My friend giggles and then says," I never filled the prescription." Her doctor said, "Well, keep doing what you're doing!" hehehehe
Good luck
B. : )

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J.B.

answers from Atlanta on

Sounds like he's doing all the right things, but sometimes cholesterol issues are hereditary. I've known people in VERY good shape who eat right all the time and have to take medication for high cholesterol. If he drinks at all or eats any sweets or sugary foods, he needs to cut all of that immediately because booze and sweets are big problems in driving up triglyceride levels. If he doesn't eat sweets or drink often, then he may need medication if they won't come down with weight loss, proper diet and exercise.

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