A study published this year in Phytotherapy Research has found evidence suggesting that 60-day supplementation with garicinia cambogia which is commonly used as a weight loss supplement can effectively lower triglycerides in obese women.What are triglycerides?Triglycerides can be converted from macronutrients when excess amounts of calories are used.  This blood fat is deposited in cells and when energy is needed, hormones can release these compounds to generate energy.What harm can high triglycerides do?High triglycerides or hypertriglyceridemia can contribute to hardening of arteries or thickening of artery walls that increases the risk of atherosclerosis, which in turn boosts the risk of stroke, heart attack and heart disease or coronary artery disease, particularly in women.  High triglycerides can also increase risk of obesity and metabolic syndrome. What is the definition of high triglycerides or hypertriglyceridemia?When the serum concentration of triglycerides is higher than 200 mg/dL, the condition is considered hypertriglyceridemia.  A level of triglycerides lower than 150 mg/dL is considered normal.Simply put:

  • Normal level - lower than 150 mg/dL
  • Borderline high - 150 to 199 mg/dL
  • High - 200 to 499 mg/dL
  • Very high - 500 mg/dL or higher

What do high triglycerides indicate?In addition to bad lifestyle and or eating habit, high triglycerides or hypertriglyceridemia indicate some chronic conditions including metabolic syndrome, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes mellitus, low levels of thyroid hormones or hypothyroidism, liver disease, kidney disease or genetic disorders.  High triglycerides can also result from taking certain medications such as beta blockers, diuretics, steroids, birth control pills and breat cancer drugs like tamoxifen.What may cause high serum triglycerides?

  • Being obese or overweight
  • Lack of physical activity
  • Tobacco smoking
  • Alcohol drinking
  • Eating a very high carb diet
  • Certain diseases and drugs
  • Some genetic disorders

How to prevent high triglycerides or hypertriglyceridemia

  • Lose weight or avoid being obese or overweight
  • Reduce calorie intake 
  • Reduce intake of sugar and refined foods
  • Limit intake of cholesterol
  • Avoid red meat, use monosaturated fat such as olive oil peanut oil and fish oil which is high in omega-3 fatty acids.
  • Avoid trans-fat or partially hygenenated vegetable oils.
  • Limit intake of alcohol.  Even a small amount of alcohol can increase triglyceride concentrations.
  • Exercise regularly.
  • Take Garcinia Cambogia.

If you feel this is too complicated for you to control everything you eat or do, take dietary supplement Garcinia Cambogia. (David Liu, PHD)