Like cholesterol, high levels of triglycerides are a frequent health problem and the best way to prevent and control them is with a proper diet.

Triglycerides are a kind of lipid or fat, which form in the intestine through the foods we eat. They should be kept at a certain level, although this level cannot be zero because the body needs them as a source of energy. After eating, the triglyceride level in the blood rises, and these chemicals then go into adipose tissue and muscles. Some of them are absorbed by the liver where they are synthesized, after which part returns to the blood stream.

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The problem arises when, after this process, the level of triglycerides in the blood exceeds 150 mg per deciliter of blood. Up to 199 mg is considered a high level, while 200 is a very high level. The consequence of these high numbers if the appearance of aterome platelets that stick to the walls of the veins and arteries, narrowing them and raising the possibility of cardiovascular problems.

The best diet for easing this problem is the Mediterranean-style one, rich in fruits and vegetables and low on animal fat and saturated fats. It is also important to eat blue-meat fish, not so much because it acts directly against triglycerides but rather because it contributes flexibility to blood vessels and is vasodilatory. These two characteristics make this kind of fish effective against aterome platelets and formation of clots. It will thus act against the negative effects of a high triglyceride level. Other helpful foods are fowl such as chicken and turkey, skimmed dairy products, all vegetables and fruits except nuts and candied fruits. You should also limit your intake of fatty meats, prepared foods and products with a lot of sugar. It is better to use artificial sweeteners and stay away from any kind of candy or dessert, be it home-made or not. Don't eat too many eggs and don't overdo it with coffee or soft drinks, even if they are low-calorie. The same applies to low-cal sauces and margarine.

It is important to point out that excessive consumption of glucose, fructose, chocolate and alcohol are very bad for people with this condition. Alcohol, considered healthy in moderation amounts, is not recommended for people with high triglyceride levels because it raises their production level in the liver. Obesity is also a direct cause of this problem: it has been proven that as a person's weight rises, so does their triglyceride� level. Thus, healthy habits include a balanced and hypo-caloric diet and exercise.

Other factors are harder to control, such as age. Triglyceride levels tend to go up as people get older. The same applies if the problem is genetic, ie if it affects several members of the same family. Some medication like steroids and diuretics can raise triglyceride levels, as do diseases such as cirrhosis or diabetes that is not properly cared for.