Causes of High Triglycerides Revealed

The causes of high triglycerides are a subject of much debate. It really depends on where your viewpoints originate. The mainstream medical community has their opinions. Nutritionists and naturopaths have different opinions. But it is clear that some people are more likely to have higher triglyceride counts than others.

Those who are obese smoke cigarettes or drink too much alcohol, as well as those that don’t get enough exercise are prone to have higher levels circulating in their blood stream. Those with hormonal or chemical imbalances are at risk and genetics also plays at least a small role.

Diseases, such as diabetes, kidney or liver disease are sometimes the causes of high triglycerides. Prescription drugs such as beta-blockers and steroids can cause the problem. But the biggest cause is thought to be excessive consumption of foods that are fried or cooked in hydrogenated oils (margarine, lard, shortening), sometimes referred to as "trans-fats" or trans-fatty acids. High triglyceride levels typically accompany high total cholesterol levels and low levels of HDL, which is considered "good" cholesterol, because it carries away LDL or bad cholesterol.

The health problems that are primarily associated with high triglyceride and high cholesterol levels are heart disease, heart attack and stroke, as these fats build up on the interior walls of arteries and veins, interfering with blood flow and increasing the risk of death from a clot. However, it is obvious that dietary intake of fat or cholesterol is not the only factor.

Fats are not all the same. In Japan, males take in an average of 446 mg per day, yet only 57 per 100,000 die of stroke or coronary heart disease. In the US, the average fat intake for males is 348 mg/day, lower than in Japan, but the number of deaths from heart disease and stroke is 202 per 100,000. So what is the real cause of that dramatic difference?

The typical Japanese diet is rich in omega-3 fatty acids. The typical American diet is high in omega-6 fatty acids. So it appears that one of the causes of high triglycerides and improperly balanced cholesterol levels is a lack of omega 3s in the diet.

Good health comes with balance. It has been suggested that the best possible ratio of omega6 to omega3 consumption would be 1 to 1. But, the only good dietary source of omega 3 fatty acids is fish. So supplementation is advisable.

It has been shown that omega3 fish oil supplements increase levels of HDL (good cholesterol) and that in turn lowers LDL levels. This also lowers total triglyceride levels.

Now it is almost a surety that one of the causes of high triglycerides is a diet too high in fat of all kinds. It is just that some fats are better than others. Make the necessary dietary changes and start taking a good fish oil supplement before it is too late.

It may be years before we completely understand the causes of high triglycerides, but we do know that we can do something about them today.

Author: Erin Anderson

Erin Anderson is an avid health writer with particular interests in natural health and alternative healthcare. She writes informational articles about health problems for which fish oil are beneficial.

Visit http://www.healthyfishoil.info now to discover an omega 3 fish oil supplement proven to reduce high triglycerides.

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Information on diet to lower triglycerides and how do I lower my bad triglycerides.

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