You’ve likely heard the term “triglycerides” and know that they’re not good for your heart, but what exactly are they?

Triglycerides, like cholesterol, belong to the lipid family. They’re a major source of energy for your body, and are either obtained from your diet or produced in your liver.

When your body has more triglycerides than it can use, the excess triglycerides end up being transported to fat cells (rather than being used by your body for energy). If your triglyceride levels remain elevated it can lead to atherosclerosis and heart damage.

While conventional medicine usually suggests a low-fat diet to manage triglycerides, this is typically not the answer. Eating too much sugar and refined grains is the primary cause of high triglycerides, and restricting sugar and grains seems to normalize triglyceride levels in most everyone who tries it.

Along with the diet there are two other factors that will protect your cardiovascular health: getting plenty of beneficial omega-3 fatty acids and exercising regularly.

Helium.com July 9, 2007