Triglycerides are a type of neutral fat found in the blood, playing a role in providing energy for the body’s daily activities. Although they are an essential component, when triglyceride levels exceed the permissible threshold, you may face many serious consequences. Specifically, prolonged high triglyceride levels can lead to atherosclerosis, increased risk of cardiovascular disease, fatty liver, and even stroke.
What are Triglycerides?
Triglycerides are a type of neutral fat, considered the most common fat in the human body. Similar to cholesterol, triglycerides play an important role in providing energy. They are produced in the liver and are also found in everyday foods such as butter, margarine, cooking oil, along with high-fat or high-carbohydrate foods like bread, french fries, or sugary soft drinks.
Blood triglyceride levels can be easily determined through regular blood tests. Based on recommendations from the American Heart Association, blood triglyceride levels are divided into 4 specific groups as follows:
Normal: Below 150 mg/dL (equivalent to 1.7 mmol/L)
Borderline High: From 150 to 199 mg/dL (1.7 to 2 mmol/L)
High: Between 200 and 499 mg/dL (2 to 6 mmol/L)
Very High: Above 500 mg/dL (above 6 mmol/L)
High triglyceride levels are often a warning sign of an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, or metabolic syndrome. Controlling these levels through a healthy diet, increased physical activity, and regular check-ups with a healthcare professional is essential.
Triglycerides are neutral fats
Common Causes of High Triglyceride Levels
Elevated triglycerides not only stem from high-fat or high-carb diets but are also influenced by various other lifestyle factors. Some common factors contributing to increased triglycerides include being overweight, lack of exercise, excessive alcohol consumption, and smoking – all of which negatively impact the body’s fat metabolism. Additionally, side effects of certain medications can also cause these levels to rise, typically birth control pills, beta-blockers, antipsychotics, and corticosteroids. Understanding these factors will help you proactively control and prevent dyslipidemia more effectively.
What Medications Help Lower Triglycerides?
When triglyceride-lowering measures such as quitting smoking, regular exercise, weight loss, or nutritional balance are ineffective, your doctor may prescribe medication to control high triglyceride levels. One of the leading options currently is Omega-3 Fatty Acids.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Studies have shown that Omega-3 Fatty Acids inhibit triglyceride synthesis in the liver, potentially reducing triglycerides by up to 44% in patients with very high triglyceride levels. This substance is found in fish oil or prescription medications, though its effectiveness depends on the type of Omega-3 product used.
Omega-3 products containing EPA and DHA not only help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol but also increase HDL (good) cholesterol.
Conversely, products containing only EPA usually have no effect on LDL and no effect on HDL.
While effective, Omega-3s can cause side effects like burping and should not be used by individuals allergic to fish. During the first 3 months of medication use, some cases may experience a risk of atrial fibrillation recurrence.
Furthermore, Omega-3s prolong bleeding time, so they should be used with caution in patients taking medications that increase bleeding risk, such as anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs.
For patients with high triglycerides, if lifestyle adjustments do not lower triglycerides, a doctor’s prescription for medications like Omega-3 Fatty Acids can be an effective treatment direction. However, it is essential to use the correct dose and type, and only under the guidance of a healthcare professional. Importantly, alongside medication, measures to prevent diseases caused by high triglycerides, such as a healthy diet, physical activity, and eliminating risk factors, should always be maintained to protect overall cardiovascular health.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids inhibit triglyceride synthesis in the liver
What Medications Lower Blood Triglycerides?
To control blood triglyceride levels, Fibrates are a class of drugs often prescribed by doctors. Fibrates work by reducing the liver’s production of VLDL – these are circulating particles in the blood that carry triglycerides – while also accelerating the removal of triglycerides from the blood. However, they should not be used in patients with severe kidney disease or severe liver disease due to the risk of further organ damage.
Common Fibrate medications include:
Gemfibrozil
Fenofibrate
The most common side effect of Fibrates is muscle toxicity, especially when used with Statins, which increases the risk of severe muscle pain.
What to Drink to Lower Triglycerides? – Niacin (Vitamin B3)
Niacin, also known as vitamin B3, can reduce triglycerides by blocking the release of free fatty acids from fat and increasing the clearance of triglycerides from the blood. Additionally, Niacin also raises HDL (good) cholesterol levels and lowers LDL (bad) cholesterol levels, benefiting adults with heart disease or high cholesterol.
Side effects to note:
Causes flushing, but this undesirable effect can be reduced by taking aspirin before or with meals.
Niacin can increase blood sugar, uric acid, and liver enzymes, so patients should monitor these levels before and during use.
It should not be used with statins, as this combination can increase the risk of severe muscle pain.
Statins – Medications for High Cholesterol
Statins are a common class of drugs used to treat high cholesterol levels, while also effectively helping to control the risk of cardiovascular disease. The main mechanism of action of Statins is to reduce the liver’s cholesterol production, thereby helping to bring blood lipid levels back to a safe range. At appropriate doses, Statins can reduce triglyceride levels by up to 50%, while also aiming for LDL (bad cholesterol) and triglyceride targets – two important indicators in cardiovascular management.
Additionally, Statins play an active role in reducing vascular inflammation and blood clots, thereby improving overall vascular function and contributing to limiting the risk of serious cardiovascular complications.
While generally well-tolerated by most users, Statins can still cause some side effects. The most notable is muscle pain or weakness, with an incidence ranging from 0.3% to 33% depending on the individual and the specific drug used.
Currently, there are many different types of Statins available on the market, chosen according to a doctor’s prescription, including:
Rosuvastatin
Fluvastatin
Atorvastatin
Pitavastatin
Lovastatin
Pravastatin
Simvastatin
Lowering Blood Triglycerides with Natural Methods
Controlling blood triglyceride levels is extremely important for protecting cardiovascular health. If you are wondering what to drink to lower triglycerides naturally, consider the following two types of tea:
Green Tea
Green tea is a healthy beverage, notable for its catechins which can metabolize fat and effectively reduce triglyceride and cholesterol levels in the blood. Additionally, green tea contains flavonoids, which help limit cholesterol deposition and prevent arterial sclerosis.
Regular consumption of green tea helps protect the body from fatty liver disease, while also reducing the risk of cerebrovascular accidents and myocardial infarction. Thanks to its abundant antioxidants, green tea also helps purify the body, eliminate harmful toxins, is good for the liver, enhances overall health, and helps brighten the skin daily.
Green tea is a healthy beverage
Ginger Tea
Another natural option is ginger tea. Thanks to its properties that inhibit fat accumulation, especially triglycerides, ginger tea helps limit blood vessel blockage and reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Making ginger tea is very simple:
Take about 4–6 slices of fresh ginger, wash thoroughly
Add to a pot with 2 cups of filtered water, boil for 10 minutes
Then add a little honey and a few drops of lemon juice
Stir well and enjoy while warm
Black Tea (Red Tea)
Black tea, also known as red tea, is a familiar beverage rich in flavonoid antioxidants. Modern scientific studies show that flavonoids can control bad fat levels, prevent blood clot formation, and enhance blood vessel health.
For effectiveness, you should drink black tea between meals during the day. However, experts recommend not drinking more than 5 cups per day and limiting consumption before bedtime to avoid affecting sleep.
Lemon Garlic Water
The combination of lemon and garlic offers superior efficacy in expelling excess triglycerides from the body. Garlic secretes a substance that can reduce excess fat by up to 30%, thereby limiting blood vessel blockage and preventing arterial hardening. Additionally, garlic extract can break down and dissolve clogging proteins, supporting smooth blood circulation.
As for lemon, this fruit helps prevent excess fat from adhering to arterial walls, thereby effectively preventing the risk of heart disease. You can mix warm lemon water with crushed garlic to consume every morning.
Voi Leaf Water
Voi leaf water has long been known as a beneficial drink for the digestive and cardiovascular systems. Voi leaves contain beta-sitosterol, an active compound capable of helping to reduce blood fat, effectively regulate triglyceride metabolism, and cholesterol metabolism in the blood.
Using voi leaf water instead of regular water daily is a simple way to cleanse the body while supporting the natural and safe process of triglyceride reduction.
Hawthorn Tea
Hawthorn tea contains high levels of flavonoids, vitamin C, and potassium, offering significant benefits for the circulatory system. These active compounds help soften and dilate arteries, thereby increasing blood flow and enhancing arterial elasticity.
Furthermore, hawthorn tea also helps strengthen heart contractions, improve heart vitality, and effectively reduces blood lipid levels, lowers blood pressure, and provides a calming effect. Thanks to these benefits, hawthorn tea is considered effective in treating cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia – common health issues today.
Corn Silk Water
Corn silk water is rich in phytosterols, which help prevent the absorption of blood triglycerides – a leading cause of hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis. As a result, this water can prevent atherosclerosis, alleviate hyperlipidemia, prevent hyperlipidemia, alleviate hypertension, prevent hypertension, and also help alleviate fatty liver and prevent fatty liver.
Easy to drink, mild, and inexpensive, corn silk water is an ideal choice in supportive treatment and prevention regimens for cardiovascular metabolic diseases.
Orange Juice
According to research published by scientists from the American Heart Association, orange juice has the effect of improving dyslipidemia in people with excessively elevated blood triglycerides. The main components contributing to this benefit are vitamin C, folate, and flavonoids in oranges.
Expert advice: Individuals with high triglyceride levels should drink 1 to 2 glasses of orange juice daily, especially 1-2 hours after meals to achieve optimal effectiveness. Remember to choose fresh oranges to ensure intact nutrient content.
