Although a person’s body needs some triglycerides, high triglyceride levels can raise their risk of severe health complications. Examples of triglyceride-lowering drugs include niacin and fibrates.
Triglycerides are a type of fat in a person’s body. They come from the foods we eat. A person’s body converts calories it does not need immediately into triglycerides. It then stores and uses them later for energy.
Some triglycerides are important for good health. However, having high triglyceride levels (more than 200 milligrams per deciliter) in a person’s blood can raise their risk of several heart conditions. Triglycerides are different from cholesterol, which is a waxy, fat-like substance found in all body cells.
Several conditions, lifestyle factors, and some medications can raise triglyceride levels. Healthcare professionals may prescribe a person medication to control or lower them. Some lifestyle changes can also lower a person’s triglyceride levels.
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Many foods naturally or artificially contain niacin, also known as vitamin B3. The two main forms of niacin in supplements or medication are nicotinamide and nicotinic acid.
Niacin helps a person’s body turn food they eat into energy. It is
Healthcare professionals may prescribe niacin to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke in people with atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is when a person’s arteries become narrowed due to plaque in the artery walls, which makes it difficult for blood to flow through them.
However, niacin can interact with other medications and supplements, and higher doses can also cause side effects. As such, it is important to take niacin as a doctor prescribes. Healthcare professionals should always approve and supervise a person’s use of high niacin doses.
Fibrates are a type of medication known as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor agonists. Healthcare professionals use them to
They
- gemfibrozil
- fenofibrate
- fenofibric acid
Healthcare professionals prescribe fibrate medication alongside dietary plan changes.
Icosapent ethyl (IPE) is the active ingredient in Vascepa. This is a prescription medication that healthcare professionals use to help lower blood triglycerides for adults, alongside diet changes, and help reduce the risk of heart conditions for people with certain risk factors, alongside statin medications.
They prescribe it to people along with lifestyle changes, such as diet and physical activity. The IPE in Vascepa is a modified form of eicosapentaenoic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid.
Dietary supplements and foods such as fish and flaxseed contain omega-3 fatty acids. They have several health
Healthcare professionals may
In some countries, Volanesorsen is a medication for
FCS is a rare genetic condition that causes people to have high triglyceride levels. Volanesorsen reduces triglycerides in a person’s body by blocking proteins that slow down how a person’s body breaks down fat.
As of 2018, the FDA has
A person may be more at risk of high triglycerides due to their genetics. Scientists are
Lipoprotein lipase deficiency (LPL) is a
Lipoprotein lipase gene therapy is a new
Some health conditions can
- kidney disease
- type 2 diabetes
- liver disease
- having obesity or being overweight
- thyroid disease
Checking for and treating these conditions can help lower a person’s triglyceride levels. This helps to lower their risk of serious complications such as heart disease or stroke.
Lifestyle changes that can help a person
- maintaining a medically recommended weight
- taking part in regular physical activity
- quitting or not smoking
- reducing alcohol consumption or not consuming alcohol
- eating more heart-healthy foods, including:
- vegetables, such as leafy greens, broccoli, and carrots
- fruits
- whole grains such as plain oatmeal, brown rice, and wholegrain bread or tortillas
- fat-free or low-fat dairy foods such as milk, cheese, or yogurt
- protein-rich foods, including fish, lean meats, and eggs
- eating more unsaturated fats, such as those found in vegetable oils and nuts
- limiting intake of saturated fats such as butter, cheese, and fatty meats
- limiting intake of:
- sugar
- refined foods
- sodium and salt
- managing stress
- getting good quality sleep
Read on to learn more about lowering triglyceride levels.
Triglycerides are a type of fat that the body makes from the food a person eats. High triglyceride levels can raise a person’s risk of severe heart conditions. Several health conditions or a person’s genetics can increase their risk of high triglyceride levels.
Medications can lower a person’s triglyceride levels. However, some may interact with other medications or dietary supplements. Healthcare professionals often prescribe them together with lifestyle and diet changes that people can use to lower their triglyceride levels.