What are triglycerides?
Triglyceridesare on lipids, that is, a type of fat that is common to find in our body.
In this sense, triglycerides are ideal for the storage of energy in the body, which also come from additional calories that we consume, but that the body does not need immediately.
Triglycerides are stored in adipose tissue, so the body transforms the extra calories into triglycerides and when the body needs that energy, it goes on to release them. Very low-density lipoprotein particles carry them into our tissues.
However, having high triglyceride levels increases the risk of heart disease, such as coronary artery disease.
For that reason, we are going to break down the best medications to keep triglycerides low and also how we can prevent their levels from rising.
Best Triglyceride Medications
There are several factors that can alter the levels of triglycerides in our body, the main one is due to maintaining a diet high in sugars and that the consumption of calories is greater than those that are burned, also excessive consumption of alcohol, smoking, thyroid disease, among others.
To avoid high levels of triglycerides that put our health at risk, we must acquire better eating habits, exercise and take medications to regulate these levels if necessary. Next we will talk about some of these medications.
1. Ezetimibe
and simvastatin. Which are used to lower the concentrations of total cholesterol, bad LDL cholesterol and triglycerides circulating in the blood. It also raises the concentrations of good HDL cholesterol.
Ezetimibe/Simvastatin works in two ways to lower cholesterol. Firstly thanks to the active ingredient ezetimibe, which reduces the cholesterol that is absorbed in the digestive tract. And second, the active ingredient simvastatin, which belongs to the group of statins, inhibits the production of cholesterol made by the body itself.
2. Gemfibrozil
Gemfibrozilbelongs to the group of medicines more commonly known as fibrates. Which are used for various causes such as reducing the levels of fats or lipids in the blood, such as triglycerides.
This medication is used, along with a low-fat diet and other non-medical treatments such as exercise, to reduce the levels of fats in the blood.
Gemfibrozil is a medicine that can be used when others are not adequate to reduce the occurrence of heart problems. It may also be prescribed to lower blood cholesterol levels for those who cannot be prescribed other lipid-lowering drugs.
3. Fenofibrate
Fenofibrate is a medication that belongs to a class called antilipemic agents, which work by speeding up the natural processes that remove cholesterol from the body.
This medicine is usually used with a low-fat diet, exercise, and in some cases with other medicines, to lower the levels of fatty substances, such as cholesterol and triglycerides, in the blood.
In the same way it is also used to increase the amount of HDL high-density lipoproteins, a type of fatty substance that decreases the risk of heart disease in the blood.
4. Niacin
Also known as vitamin B3, niacinhelps to some extent in converting the food values we consume into vital energy, which is needed by human beings. Niacin is very important for the growth, development and function of cells in the body.
This vitamin can be found naturally in a large group of varied foods, which include those of animal origin such as poultry, beef, pork, and fish; also in nuts, legumes and grains, as well as breads and cereals.
5. Atorvastatin
Atorvastatin is used for the treatment of very high cholesterol, as well as for reducing the risk of stroke, heart attack, and other heart attack complications, in individuals with type 2 diabetes.
It is used in conjunction with the diet to promote the reduction of blood levels of bad cholesterol and in turn to increase the levels of good cholesterol.
6. Fluvastatin
Fluvastatin belongs to a group of medicines known as statins, these medicines lower blood lipids. They are used in patients whose condition cannot be controlled by diet and exercise alone.
This medicine is used in adults to treat high levels of fats in the blood, mainly total cholesterol and the so-called bad or LDL cholesterol, which is associated with an increased risk of heart disease and stroke.
7. Cholestyramine
It is an anion exchange resin, which is used to treat hypercholesterolemia.
Cholestyramine, a bile acid sequestrant, is one of the oldest hypolipidemic products and possibly the most innocuous since it is not absorbed by the intestine. The use of this resin is recommended for people between the ages of 11 and 20.
8. Vytor’s
Vytorinis a medication used to reduce the concentrations of total cholesterol, LDL or bad cholesterol, and triglycerides that circulate in the blood. On the other hand, vytorin increases the concentrations of hdl or good cholesterol.
It is used in patients who do not control their cholesterollevels solely through diet. It is important to mention that during the time this medication is taken, a cholesterol-lowering diet should be followed.
9. Lovaza
Lovaza or Omega 3 fatty acid ethyl esters , are a type of fat that is present in fish oil, they are used together with diet and physical activity, in order to help reduce triglyceride levels.
On the other hand, it also increases good cholesterol. In general, this drug is used when the levels of fats in the blood have not been completely controlled with non-pharmacological treatments.
10. Praluent
Praluent is a monoclonal antibody, a type of protein designed to bind to a target substance in the body (part of the body where a chemical causes adverse effects)tag. Now these monoclonal antibodies are proteins that recognize and bind to other unique proteins.
This medicine helps reduce bad or LDL cholesterol levels, since it blocks a protein called PCSK9. It also helps reduce cardiovascular risk in adults with high blood cholesterol levels and cardiovascular disease.
How to avoid high triglycerides?
To prevent high triglyceride levels in our blood in acceptable numbers, it is important to follow a diet low in saturated fat, present in various products of animal origin such as butter, cream, fatty meats, full-fat dairy, and some high-fat foods. vegetable origin such as coconut oil.
Therefore, below we present a series of recommendations that you can take into account to prevent the increase in triglyceride levels.
Eat foods with fiber
Fiber forms something similar to a gel when absorbing water, this gel binds in the digestive tract with bile acids, necessary for the absorption of cholesterol and other compounds, causing them to be eliminated through the feces and thus reducing the absorption of cholesterol.
Lastly, fiber fermentation positively helps the formation of short-chain fatty acids, which contribute to inhibiting hepatic cholesterol synthesis.
Reduce consumption of refined carbohydrates
First, learn to identify low-quality, or ‘bad’, carbohydrates and avoid or consume them as little as possible. When we talk about low-quality carbohydrates, we mean those that include too many sugars, starches, and saturated fats.
To do this, we recommend that you consume more ‘High value’ carbohydrates , such as beans, fiber-rich whole grains, fruits and vegetables.
Regulate sugar intake
Its reduction has numerous benefits, and not only direct benefits for health, it is especially for triglycerides. It can also improve sleep and productivity, and may even save you money.
Limit fat intake
Saturated fats raise the level of bad cholesterol significantly, this increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, or other comprehensive health problems in people who regularly consume it.
This is why we recommend eating more fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products, poultry, fish and nuts. Also stick to fried foods and baked goods with plant-based shortening. The consumption of donuts, cakes or cakes, are a clear example of foods with a high content of harmful fats.
Doing physical activity
Exercising, in addition to taking care of your diet, helps you control your weight and have a more active life. Performing physical activities activates your metabolism, this favors fat burning and that keeps cholesterol numbers low.
Lose weight
Weight loss is recommended for people with high degrees of obesity, since in this way they can reduce triglyceride levels. This must be done properly, following a balanced diet and exercising regularly.
In summary, to have good health, follow a healthy and balanced diet, reducing the consumption of foods rich in sugar, processed foods and preparations that are based on refined flours.
University Professional in the area of Human Resources, Postgraduate in Occupational Health and Hygiene of the Work Environment, 14 years of experience in the area of health. Interested in topics of Psychology, Occupational Health, and General Medicine.