Triglycerides are a particular form of fat that is transported through your blood to the tissue. The majority of your body's fat tissue is made up of triglycerides. However, high level of triglyceride in the blood can be a risk for heart disease.

Triglycerides is usually measured when you have your LDL cholesterol is checked by your physician. The optimal number for your triglycerides would be anything 150 or less.

Serum triglycerides come from two sources. The first source is the foods that you eat. If you consume a meal containing a lot of fat, your intestine will package some of those fats and transport them to your liver. The second source is your actual liver. Once the fats are received by the liver, it then takes fatty acids released by your fat cells and bundles them up as triglycerides, which are then sent out to the rest of your body to use as fuel.

There is some controversy relating around high triglyceride levels and if they alone are the cause for heart disease. The reason for this debate is that many people having high LDL and low HDL, also have high triglyceride levels.

Other health conditions related to high triglycerides include high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, chronic kidney and liver circulatory disease, and hypothyroidism.

Research shows that you can lower your triglycerides without the use of medication although that is an option if needed or prescribed by your doctor.

Herbal and Natural Supplements

Pantethine, is an active form of pantothenic acid. Several studies show that 300 mg of Pantethine taken three times per day will lower Triglyceride levels.[17], [18], [19]
To learn more about Pantethine, click here.

Guggul is an extract of the resin from the myrrh tree (Commiphora mukul) is an approved treatment for high cholesterol in India. Clinical studies show that Guggul is effective in lowering high triglycerides. Guggul is the mixture of ketonic steroids from the gum oleoresin of Commiphora mukul. Guggul effectively lowers high triglycerides (by 30.3% in one study).[7]
To learn more about Guggul, click here.

Bruce J.Holub and Adam J. Adler of the University of Guelph in Ontario conducted a 12 week trial testing the effects of fish oil combined with garlic with 50 male subjects. Triglycerides of men getting both fish oil and garlic fell 34% when LDL cholesterol dropped 9.5 percent. This combination of garlic plus fish oil prevented the moderate fish oil induced rise in LDL cholesterol that was shown in earlier studies.[1] Another study published in Clinical Cardiology proved that fish oils help decrease plasma triglyceride levels.[2] Supplementation of highly purified DHA and EPA range from 3 to 5 g/d have consistently shown triglyceride-lowering properties.[3] In addition, Mayo Clinic published a review of 18 trials including 823 subjects and established that fish oil supplements significantly reduced triglycerides.[4] According to American Heart Association’s guidelines (AHA Statement 11/18/2002), people who have elevated triglycerides may need 2 to 4 grams of EPA and DHA per day provided as a supplement.

Lifestyle Changes

For triglycerides, alcohol intake should be limited. Although red wine has shown to help with LDL, again, this should be consumed within reason. If you are not sure how much is too much for you, check with your doctor.

Reduce the Intake of Sweets: The sugar in sweets very quickly spikes triglycerides in people. Avoid fruit juices, soda, pastries, pies, candy, cookies and sweet desserts.

Decrease or Eliminate Alcohol: Excessive alcohol contributes to high triglyceride levels. Some people are sensitive to even small amount of alcohol. Instead, try tomato or vegetable juice, club soda, mineral water, sugar-free beverages and non-alcohopc beers.

Reduce Carbohydrate Containing Foods: Bread, pasta, white rice and white flour are carbohydrate-foods and could be sensitive to certain people and lead to elevated triglycerides. Instead, choose whole wheat pasta, brown rice, barley, oats, etc in moderation.

Maintain a Desirable Body Weight: Obesity is shown as a major cause of high triglycerides. If you are overweight, lose weight with regular exercise and by reducing totally calorie intake.

Triglyceride Lowering Drugs

If your triglycerides measure 500 milligrams or more, more than likely your doctor will need to put you on some medication to help bring this level down. One of the major concerns when levels reach this proportion is acute inflammation of the pancreas. According to various studies conducted, a fibrate drug called gemfibrozil has been effective lowering triglycerides.