Saturday, April 17, 2010

5 Ways to Manage Your Triglycerides

Having high triglyceride levels is one of the leading risk factors for heart disease. High triglyceride levels are a symptom of the problem, not the problem itself - for example, most people have high triglycerides because they eat too many fatty foods and don't get enough exercise. Today we're looking at ways you can manage your triglycerides, with comprehensive solutions like dietary or exercise alterations, as well as simple helpers like Vitamin Code Perfect Weight America.
1. Limit saturated fat in your diet
This is one of the simplest things you can do to lower your triglycerides. Dietary fat is readily converted into fat circulating in the bloodstream. You don't need to turn into bran-loving, celery-munching, joyless rabbit, though. Replace your saturated fats with unsaturated or healthy fats. Use avocado instead of butter, vegetable oil instead of lard, etc.
2. Limit carbohydrates in your diet
People who eat absolutely no fat in their diet can still get fat. Glucose can be converted by the liver to be stored as body fat. Another thing to be aware of is that many foods rich in carbohydrates are simultaneously rich in (hidden) fat … cookies and cakes are a great example of this.
3. Remember to supplement
A new wave of vitamins and minerals is now available as whole food supplements. They come in a form that is easier for your body to absorb and use without creating nutrient 'lockouts'.
4. Stop smoking!
You may think that the way that cigarettes help keep you thin is actually doing your triglycerides a favor. It's not. Smokers have almost uniformly higher triglyceride levels. You might gain a little weight to start with, but with some effort that can easily be rectified.
5. 2.5 hours of exercise per week
This is the CDC recommended amount of exercise. Do it in at least 10-minute blocks, and make sure it is moderate intensity. 2.5 hours of window shopping doesn’t count, unfortunately … you have to be able to really feel your blood pumping. Brisk walking, tennis and cycling are good examples.


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