Monday, December 21, 2009

Prevent High Triglycerides

It's easy to ignore high triglycerides. Triglycerides are a type of fat found in your blood. Doctors are still unsure whether or not high triglycerides contribute to the risk of heart disease, but they are known to be part of a condition called metabolic syndrome. Metabolic condition consists of three conditions. High blood sugar, belly fat, high blood pressure, low good cholesterol and high triglycerides. There are ways to prevent high triglycerides and doing so is to any person's best interest.


Instructions


1. Control your diabetes. High blood sugar levels can often lead to high triglycerides. Keeping your blood sugar levels in the normal range is a great defense against high triglycerides as well as a host of other problems your diabetes can cause. If you are having trouble controlling your blood sugar numbers, speak to your doctor. Check your blood sugar as directed by your doctor. Know what your levels should be and try to stay in those ranges.


2. Manage your weight to the best of your ability. Maintaining a healthy weight can help prevent high triglycerides, as well as many other health problems. Discuss with your doctor healthy ways of managing your weight. In addition to preventing high triglycerides, blood sugar levels are also easier to control if you are a healthy weight. One supports another, so if you are overweight, talk to your doctor about a plan to lose it. This may seem like a difficult step, but it will be a rewarding one.


3. Limit alcohol. Alcohol can raise triglycerides. Limiting your alcohol intake can help to lower your triglyceride levels if they are high. Limiting alcohol intake can also prevent other health conditions, such as liver problems. Discuss with your doctor a safe limit for you.


4. Stop eating more calories than you burn. How do you do this? Exercise. Your doctor can help you decide what kind of exercise program is appropriate for you. In addition to lowering triglycerides, exercising can help you lose the weight and control blood sugar levels. Each will always help the other.


5. Ask for a thyroid test if your triglycerides are high. Hypothyroidism can cause your triglyceride levels to be high. If they are high with no other cause, a thyroid test may be in order. Ask your doctor if he feels this could help you. Thyroid problems can be treated and may help to lower your triglyceride levels as treat any other symptoms you are experiencing because of it.

Tags: high triglycerides, blood sugar, your doctor, blood sugar levels, sugar levels, your blood