Natural treatments for high triglycerides
Natural treatments for high triglycerides aim to address elevated levels of triglycerides, a type of fat in the blood associated with increased risk of heart disease and other health issues. Key natural options include fish oil, which is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and has been shown to reduce triglyceride levels by 25-30% in various studies. Niacin is also a notable treatment, though it may have mixed results and side effects. Additional supplements that may aid in lowering triglycerides include soy, walnut oil, flax oil, and pantethine, though the evidence for some of these options, such as pantethine, is less robust.
Lifestyle modifications play a crucial role in managing triglyceride levels; maintaining a healthy weight, limiting sugar and carbohydrate intake, and engaging in regular exercise can significantly impact triglyceride levels. Other natural treatments that have shown potential benefits include fenugreek, creatine, vitamins C and E, and certain herbs like Achillea wilhelmsii. Each individual may respond differently to these treatments, and it is important for those with high triglycerides to consult healthcare providers for personalized advice.
Natural treatments for high triglycerides
DEFINITION: Treatment for abnormally elevated levels of a fat-related substance that contributes to heart disease.
- PRINCIPAL PROPOSED NATURAL TREATMENTS: Fish oil, niacin
- OTHER PROPOSED NATURAL TREATMENTS: Achillea wilhelmsii, chromium, creatine, fenugreek, flax oil, pantethine, soy, vitamins C and E combined, walnut oil
Introduction
Triglycerides belong to a group of fat-related substances called lipids. An increase in levels of certain lipids (a condition called hyperlipidemia) contributes to heart disease. To test for hyperlipidemia, physicians rely on blood tests called lipid profiles that measure triglycerides and two types of lipid cholesterol: low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or bad cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) or good cholesterol. In many people with hyperlipidemia, elevation of LDL predominates. Drugs in the statin family work particularly well at treating this form of hyperlipidemia.
In some people with hyperlipidemia, however, high triglyceride levels are the primary problem. These persons are just as much at risk for heart disease as persons with elevated LDL cholesterol. Furthermore, if triglyceride levels get high enough, the pancreas may become inflamed, causing a dangerous condition called pancreatitis. Skin lesions called xanthomas also may occur.
Common causes of elevated triglyceride levels include uncontrolled diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease, hypothyroidism, rheumatoid arthritis, genetic predisposition (familial hypertriglyceridemia or familial combined hyperlipidemia), excessive alcohol intake, smoking, poor exercise habits, and obesity as well as various medications, including estrogen, tamoxifen, glucocorticoids, antipsychotics, thiazide diuretics, and some beta-blockers.
People with high triglycerides, or hypertriglyceridemia, may respond well to statin drugs like simvastatin (FloLipid, Zocor), atorvastatin (Lipitor), and rosuvastatin (Crestor). Some patients may need to use high-dose niacin or drugs in the fibrate family. Exercise (with or without weight loss) also lowers triglycerides. Additionally, eating a diet low in sugar, carbs, and trans fats lowers triglycerides.
Principal Proposed Natural Treatments
Fish oil. Fish oil has shown distinct promise for treating hypertriglyceridemia. More than two thousand people have participated in well-designed studies of fish oil for reducing triglyceride levels. Most studies ran from about seven to ten weeks.
It appears that fish oil supplements can reduce triglycerides by about 25 to 30 percent. Although not all studies have been positive, in a detailed review of forty-seven randomized trials, researchers concluded that fish oil is capable of significantly reducing triglyceride levels with no change in total cholesterol levels and only slight increases in HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol. However, it should be noted that in some studies, the use of fish oil has markedly raised LDL cholesterol, which might offset some of the benefits.
Fish oil has been studied for reducing triglyceride levels, specifically in people with diabetes, and it appears to do so safely and effectively. Furthermore, in people using statin drugs to control lipid levels, the addition of fish oil or its isolated component, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), appears to improve results.
Fish oil is a source of omega-3 fatty acids, healthy fats that the body needs as much as it needs vitamins. The most important omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil are EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA. According to some studies, EPA may be more important than DHA for reducing triglyceride levels.
In addition, a slightly modified form of fish oil (ethyl-omega-3 fatty acids) has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a treatment for hypertriglyceridemia. This specially processed product, sold under the trade name Omacor, is widely advertised as more effective than ordinary fish oil. However, it should be noted that Omacor has undergone relatively little study itself; the prescribing information notes only two small trials to support its effectiveness for this use. This is far less evidence than is usually required for drug approval, and it is also substantially less than the body of evidence supporting standard fish oil as a treatment for hypertriglyceridemia.
A genetic component emerged in a large-scale study investigating the variation in impact observed in individuals taking fish oil supplements for cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Participants who took fish oil supplements saw an improvement in blood triglyceride levels if they had an AG genotype in the gene GJB2. However, those who saw no difference presented with the AA genotype on the same gene. These conclusions provide insight into why this supplement works for some people but not for others.
Other Proposed Natural Treatments
Numerous studies indicate that soy can reduce total and LDL cholesterol, especially when it replaces animal protein in the diet, and on this basis, it has been approved for a “heart healthy” label by the FDA. Soy also appears to modestly improve triglyceride levels.
The supplement pantethine is widely promoted as a natural treatment for hypertriglyceridemia. However, the evidence that it works rests on small studies with somewhat inconsistent results.
In people with type 2 diabetes, the use of chromium may reduce triglyceride levels, according to some preliminary trials. However, chromium does not appear to be effective in reducing triglyceride levels in people without diabetes. Walnut oil has shown some promise for reducing triglycerides, particularly in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Similarly, tree nuts have been shown to be effective. Most natural treatments used to reduce cholesterol also have the potential to reduce triglyceride levels.
The supplement flax oil contains omega-3 fatty acids similar but not identical to those found in fish oil. It has been proposed as an alternative to fish oil because it does not cause fishy-smelling and fishy-tasting burps. However, evidence suggests that flax oil is not as effective as fish oil for reducing triglycerides.
Individuals can lower their triglycerides by making healthy lifestyle choices on a daily basis. Patients are encouraged to maintain a healthy weight and limit their intake of sugar and carbohydrates. One study published in 2020 indicated individuals who drank sugary beverages had higher triglycerides. A study published the same year found that individuals who lowered their carbohydrate intake for six months to a year lowered their triglycerides. People with high triglycerides are advised to consume unsaturated fats and fiber, avoid alcohol, and exercise regularly.
Other herbs and supplements that have shown promise for reducing triglyceride levels include fenugreek, creatine, vitamin D, curcumin, and Achillea wilhelmsii.
Bibliography
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