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Triglycerides are the form in which most fats exist in food and in the body. They are the result of fats eaten in foods or they can be made in the body from carbohydrates or other energy sources and stored for later use. If diabetes is not well-controlled, blood triglycerides can be elevated. High blood levels of triglycerides are linked to coronary heart disease in some people.

What is normal and what is too high:

Current guidelines for people with diabetes are to aim for a blood triglyceride level less than 150 mg/dL. Triglyceride levels above 500 mg/dL are considered very high and increase the risk for pancreatitis, a very painful and serious condition.

How triglycerides are measured:

Triglycerides in the blood are measured with a blood test after an overnight fast, meaning that no food or alcohol should be consumed after midnight before the morning of the test. If your blood triglyceride level was elevated after a non-fasting test, the test should be repeated after an overnight fast.

Ways to reduce triglycerides:

If your blood triglycerides are mild to moderately high after an overnight fast, you can reduce your triglyceride levels by making some lifestyle changes:

1. Weight loss – If you are overweight, weight loss can reduce your triglyceride levels and LDL cholesterol, one of the major contributors to heart attacks and strokes. A dietitian can help you decide on the right portions to help you lose some weight.  
2. Eat less fat, especially saturated fat – Ask your dietitian to help you learn about ways to reduce total fat and saturated fat without consuming a very high carbohydrate diet. Saturated fats can be replaced with monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, such as those found in olive oil, canola oil, or liquid margarine. Replace meat with fish that contains omega-3 fats like salmon, mackerel, albacore tuna, and herring.
3. Regular physical activity – Aerobic activity such as brisk walking or biking, for at least 30 minutes most days can lower your triglycerides, reduce your LDL (bad) cholesterol, and increase your HDL (good) cholesterol regardless of your weight.
4. Improve blood glucose control – Uncontrolled diabetes can increase triglycerides. If your A1C and blood glucose monitoring results are not meeting your goals, work with your diabetes health care team to improve your blood glucose control with careful food choices, regular physical activity and diabetes medications as needed.
5. Avoid excessive alcohol intake – Even small amounts of alcohol can affect triglycerides levels. Abstain completely from alcohol if your triglyceride levels are in the very high range.

Medication or Supplements:

Your doctor may suggest trying some types of medications if lifestyle changes are not effective in reducing your triglyceride levels. Another option your doctor may suggest is to take fish oil supplements. Although they have been shown to reduce triglycerides by almost 30%, they can have adverse side effects, so be sure to take them only on the advice of your doctor.

References:

1. Triglycerides http://www.americanheart.org Accessed 08/17/2007
2. American Diabetes Association: Clinical Practice Recommendations 2007. Diabetes Care 30 (Suppl. 1):S48-S65, 2007