Triglyceride lowering supplements and herbs, food and diet by Ray Sahelian, M.D. How to lower levels naturally

Triglyceride, also known as triacylglycerol or triacylglyceride, is a glyceride in which the glycerol is esterified with three fatty acids. Triglycerides are the main constituents of vegetable oil and animal fats. Triglycerides, as major components of very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and chylomicrons, play an important role in metabolism as energy sources and transporters of dietary fat. Many pharmaceutical drugs are available to lower triglyceride levels. This page will focus mostly on natural supplements that safely lower triglyceride levels.

Prevalence of high triglyceride in the United States
About 20 percent of Americans has high levels of triglycerides that raise the risk of heart attacks. About one third of Americans have borderline high triglyceride levels. The percentage of U.S. adults with high triglycerides has doubled over the past three decades, likely due to increasing rates of obesity. Medications used to treat high triglyceride levels include fenofibrate, gemfibrozil or niacin. However, eating less can reduce the levels of triglycerides in the blood stream.

How to lower triglycerides - diet, vitamins, herbs and supplements
People who take steps to alter their lifestyles and eat healthier diets can significantly reduce high levels of triglycerides. Changes can include substituting healthy, unsaturated dietary fats for saturated ones, exercising, and losing weight.

Diet is the most important way to reduce triglyceride levels. For suggestions on a healthy diet, see the diet web page. Certain supplements may also be helpful. For a list of supplements that are useful for high cholesterol and high triglycerides, see cholesterol web page. Diet and supplements can be effective in lowering triglyceride and cholesterol blood levels.

Psyllium half or one teaspoon in a glass of water twice daily with food. Psyllium is a fiber that reduces triglyceride and cholesterol levels. Flax fiber is another good option.
Curcumin is a powerful antioxidant extracted from turmeric.
Fish oils may not necessary have a major influence on triglyceride levels, but they help improve circulation.
Pectin, whether from apple or grapefruit, could be helpful to lower triglyceride and cholesterol.
Green Tea extract is used to prevent oxidation of blood lipids.
CoQ10 is an essential nutrient that is depleted in the blood in those who are taking cholesterol lowering stating drugs such as Lipitor, Mevacor, and others. Taking extra CoQ10, such as 10 to 60 mg, should be considered, not necessarily to lower cholesterol levels, but to maintain healthy CoQ10 levels while on statin therapy.
Mangosteen is a fruit extract with powerful antioxidants.

Who Funds the National Lipid Association?
A survey conducted by the National Lipid Association has revealed that 87 percent of patients are unaware of the importance of high triglycerides in risk of heart disease. Fewer than half say they have discussed the topic with their doctor. "We need to get physicians and consumers... more educated about the importance of triglycerides in heart disease," says National Lipid Association spokesman Dr. Jerome D. Cohen of St. Louis University Health Sciences Center. The survey, which involved 2,089 patients and 510 doctors, showed that 17 percent of physicians are unaware of the National Cholesterol Education Program's triglyceride recommendations. Results also show that only 83 percent of doctors are aware that the triglyceride target level is below 150 mg/mL. Only 13 percent of patients were aware of the cut-off value. Two-thirds of physicians (67 percent) said that they discuss the importance of controlling triglyceride levels with their patients, yet only 43 percent of patients recall having had such a conversation. However, one positive finding was that patients who remembered the discussion were more likely to be aware of target values. Fewer women than men were aware of the importance of controlling triglyceride levels, despite the fact that elevated triglyceride levels are associated with a higher risk of heart disease for women than men. Furthermore, only 15 percent of diabetics were aware of the cut-off value for triglycerides. "The real message," concluded Cohen is "that high triglycerides are treatable." A suitable education program, he added, "can be modeled after the cholesterol education program, which was modeled after the blood pressure program that was established in 1972."
     Dr. Sahelian says: Who funds this kind of study? Who funds the National Lipid Association? Why would they do this study if it weren't for the fact that they are trying to push pharmaceutical drugs on people?