Triglycerides

[bcshell132]

I just found out about my triglycerides being 532.  I don't know much about them.  Can anyone tell me what they are and what I need to do about lowering them?  I also am diabetic, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.  I'm on meds but still have not been able to control any of it.  I'm on 2 different insulins and have changed my eating habits drasticly and still not able to get them under 250.  If anyone can help please let me know.

[anacyde]

Triglycerides are typically a direct result of what and how you eat.  It can take time to get them in check.  It is extremely important that you follow a low fat, high fiber diet and limit (or better yet eliminate) trans fat.  Become an avid label reader, it hides in many things.  Avoid fast food like the plague, cook at home.  Try www.allrecipes.com.  I think many people take drastic measures in their diet and fare no better with cholesterol because they assume diet food is healthy.  On the contrary, diet food is often filled with trans fat, which is worse than saturated fat.

Check out the American Heart Association's website and keyword search triglycerides and trans fat for a better explanation of both of these topics.

I hope the numbers improve.

[Pepperliveson]

While diet certainly contributes to your numbers, if your diabetes is not well controlled, this can also lead to high triglycerides.  If your cells cannot utilize glucose for energy, they turn to fat. Mobilization of fat from your fat stores leads to the release of triglycerides into your blood.  If your diabetes is well controlled, the mobilization of fat should decrease and your TG #s will decrease as well.  How well is your diabetes controlled?

[barn babe]

Since you're a diabetic, shouldn't you be on a low-carb high-fat diet?  Metabolically, I just don't see how you benefit from high-carb intake. Try upping your fat intake (mostly saturated) and decreasing the carbs, and you should see  a positive change in your triglyceride levels. If you are using meds for diabetes, your doc will also probably be able to decrease the dosages.