Halitosis and Medications - Bad Breath Killers or Creators?

To understand what the link between halitosis and medications is, we really need to have a clearer understanding of what the causes of bad breath really are?

Bad breath is caused by a bacteria that lives in the mouth in the throat or in the tongue. These bacteria are not harmful in themselves, and are meant to be there in the mouth. There role is to help break down proteins that have found their way into the oral cavity. If these proteins contain sulphur, then bad breath, or halitosis can result.

So, from this it can be taken that the cause of bad breath can be found in what we take on board rather than a condition or illness that we we have developed.

So, what has this to do with halitosis and medications?

There are a number of substances that are known to make bad breath worse. Two of these are sugar (for sugar read sugars and sweeteners) and alcohol. Alcohol (as most of us know) actually dries out the mouth. You will, I am sure, know that alcohol dehydrates you, and this has an effect on the mouth as well. And when the mouth is dry, bad breath gets worse. Saliva helps oxygenate your mouth, and lack of oxygen helps promote bad breath.

The sugars themselves help feed the bacteria, which act more effectively in breaking down the sulphur in the proteins in the mouth, so in fact, they make the mouth more efficient in producing bad breath.

So, if the medications that you take contain alcohol, sugar or sweeteners, then you could be making your halitosis worse rather than better!

If we look back at the first point we made, we know that bad breath originates in the proteins that we take on board. So, it stands to reason that if you cut down on sulphur bearing proteins, then you will have a positive effect on bad breath. Dairy products (milk and cheese for example) are one type of food that can cause bad breath. Excess coffee is another.

Regular cleaning and flossing can also go a long way to helping reduce bad breath as can taking adequate quantities of water as well.


Personal Health Advice is a web site devoted to personal helath problems, their causes and their cures. Find out more about

by
There are many treatment options for knee pain. Under the care of a doctor, sufferers can select the most appropriate course of treatment to provide optimum knee pain relief. Over-the-counter and prescription medications including acetaminophen (Tylenol) and aspirin reduce pain, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) including ibuprofen, can reduce inflammation as well as knee joint pain. At-home remedies like ice packs and capsaicin, found in cayenne pepper, often have a similar effect.

Natural supplements like chondroitin and glucosamine have become popular alternatives to traditional medicines in recent years because they present fewer risks of side effects. Both are naturally occurring substances in the body. The former aids in building joint cartilage, while the latter fights against degeneration of cartilage. Studies have proven their effectiveness in alleviating osteoarthritic joint pain, but have yet to demonstrate that these supplements actually reverse the effects of cartilage degeneration that have already taken place.

Modifying knee activity with physical aids such as padding, crutches, and splints, and even simple rest take the pressure off of the knee and provide temporary knee pain relief while the joint recovers from injury. Conversely, specific exercises, stretching, and low-impact aerobic activities such as biking, walking and swimming increase joint strength and flexibility, promoting healing and reducing the risk of further injury.

For severe knee injuries that have not responded to the aforementioned treatments, surgery remains an option. There are several common knee surgeries, which range from exploratory arthroscopic surgery, which orthopedic physicians use to diagnose the exact source of knee pain so that they can determine which behaviors and activities need to be modified, all the way to a total knee replacement. Whichever course of treatment a patient decides upon, it is important to work alongside a physician to ensure proper care.

by
A healthy lifestyle includes having a sensible diet with nutritional supplements, adequate quality sleep, reasonable exercise and weight management. And slowing down the aging process includes providing your body all the nutrients it requires. Taking a high-quality, broad-spectrum vitamin/mineral/nutrition supplement helps fill in the dietary gaps that everyone will have.

Vitamins and minerals are only the beginning. Your body needs and will use a wide array of herbal nutrition supplement nutrients that have been proven to have specific health benefits. Here are examples:

1. Bilberry Extract - improves eye health and night vision. Clinical tests confirm that the herbal nutrition supplement bilberry is effective in treating eye diseases such as cataracts, retinitis pigmentosa, glaucoma and myopia.

2. Cranberry Extract - used for prevention and treatment of urinary tract infections and type 2 diabetes.

3. Ginger Extract - may be beneficial for irritable bowel syndrome, morning sickness, nausea, osteoarthritis, atherosclerosis, gastro intestinal disorders, hay fever, HIV support, low back pain, migraines and rheumatoid arthritis.

4. Gingko Biloba Extract - this herbal nutrition supplement promotes mental clarity and concentration, increases alertness and short-term memory and is used in cardiac protection formulas. It offers significant protection against the development of Alzheimer's disease, hearing loss and strokes.

5. Green Tea Extract - may be helpful in improving cognitive performance, treating stomach disorders, vomiting, diarrhea and headaches. Green tea may be beneficial in reducing the risk of breast cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer and gastric cancer. May be beneficial to maintain remission in persons with Crohn's disease, to prevent Parkinson's disease and help protect against heart disease, dental caries and kidney stones.

6. Guggulipid Extract - is used for arthritis, lowering high cholesterol, atherosclerosis, nodulocystic acne, skin diseases and weight loss.

7. Hawthorne Berry Extract - used for cardiovascular conditions such as congestive heart failure and coronary circulation problems and to treat both low and high blood pressure.

8. Mahonia Grape Extract - this herbal nutrition supplement is used to treat acne, chronic constipation, colds, flu, eczema, gallbladder conditions, dysentery, malaria, parasites, psoriasis and urinary tract infections.

9. Olive Leaf Extract - used for fungus and yeast infections, frequent colds, asthma, vaginal yeast infections, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, bacterial infections, herpes, AIDS, chronic fatigue, flu and colds.

10. Tumeric Extract - may be beneficial for rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, atherosclerosis, bursitis, genital herpes, hepatitis, HIV support, low back pain and osteoarthritis.

Should you take each herbal nutrition supplement individually? When trying to design your own supplement plan, it's easy to end up with a dozen or more individual supplements to take daily, which is both a hassle and expensive. Besides, if certain substances are out of balance, they can combine to produce other unwanted compounds that can be harmful.

Also, women need a different formula than men. A woman's herbal nutrition supplement product should contain nutrients proven by clinical studies to support the balancing of female hormones. For example, red clover is helpful for menopausal symptoms, hot flashes and cyclic breast tenderness. A men's product should contain ingredients that support healthy male prostate like saw palmetto that is used for symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), improving sexual vigor and stimulating hair growth.

Learn as much as you can about what finding the best herbal nutrition supplement really means. Your health, energy and wellness is the issue. Before spending your money, be informed about the products you'll be taking every day.

Copyright 2005 InfoSearch Publishing
by
This is because we have not cared for it. I heard on the radio today that 90% of Americans know more about their car engine and take better care of their car then themself. We take our cars for oil changes every 3-4,000 miles, rotate tires, buy better gas and use gas additives, high tech waxes, etc... Then we eat junk, fatty foods, don't drink enough water, don't eat regular balanced meals, forget our vitamins, etc... It's no wonder that Our skin ages amongst other things. We have the careless attitude that if it isn't broke don't fix it. We procrastinate with our bodies until they start to fail.

What we don't realize is that our skin is an organ just like our heart, lungs, etc... the skin takes in oxygen, vitamin D, protects against bacteria, accidents, etc... In the old days people were tarred and feathered as punishment. This tarring sealed the skin and if the affected individual didn't have the tar removed in a few hours they would die - why? Because their skin couldn't breathe and they overheated and died. So the skin helps us regulate our body temperature like a radiator.

Well, just like a radiator, we must care for our skin to get optimum protection and use from it. We must hydrate ourselves properly. Thats not just having a little water here and there. 90% of all Americans are improperly hydrated. An easy way to tell is to pinch and pull the skin between the thumb and forefinger. Does it go right back and feel supple or does it hold , feel dry, and very slowly go back (improper hydration). It is now known that we must drink 8-12 glasses of water a day and abstain from too much alcohol as it will further dry us out.

We must take multivitamins and eat proper, well balanced meals for healthy skin. The skin, just like finger nails is a early warning system. Problems with your skin and fingernails can foreshadow or warn of future or iminent problems and diseases, many of which can be avoided. There are whole books on this inate ability to hint of heart ailments, blood ailmaents, etc... We must eat right, hydrate right and take proper vitamins to keep our skin from aging. It is highly recommended to eat plenty of antioxidants to ward off the aging process. Eat blue berries, black berries, and have a glass of red wine daily. They are rich with antioxidants. Also omega 3 fatty acids and fish oils have been proven to retard skin aging (they have also been proven to increase brain function over 50% in all areas - ever had deep strange dreams after eating salmon? Salmon is very rich in omega 3's)

We can also help our skin along. Skin peels have been proven to increase our skins ability to regenerate, create higher levels of collagen, and increase hydration and pliability in our skin. They can basically reverse a lot of the effects of the aging process. Of these skin peels glycolic, lactic, salicylic and the 'fruit' peels are minor and will help, but need to be reapplied more often and will not help with deep wrinkles, lines, age spots, etc... The number one treatment plastic surgeons and dermatologists use to reverse the aging process outside of a face lift is the TCA peel. Tca peels are a medium strength peel and have been proven to efectively treat more skin problems than any other treatment. It is also the safest, easiest to apply, and, by far, the most effective of all the skin peels. TCA peels can turn back the clock 10 years or more. TCA peels can treat and cure acne, wrinkles, lines, scars, etc... The results last up to 1 year so you only need to have it done once or twice a year. And the best part is they are now available for home use.

So, to keep your skin younger and healthier, drink plenty of water, eat right, take omega 3 supplements (fish oil pills are great for this as is salmon) and use proven science (TCA peels) to better care for your skin. Copper peptide creams (around $60) do show an increase in the skins ability to heal itself, but so does Neosporin for $3. In double blind tests there was no difference between the two in healingand scar repair. Remember your skin does a lot and is very important so take good care of it. To find TCA peels contact the author below or look it up on the internet.

by
Exercise and cardiovascular fitness exercises are great for your health but the best cardio exercises get you to your ideal target heart rate as you exercise.

To test your heart rate while exercising place your thumb on the underside of your wrist to locate your pulse. Count the heart beats for fifteen seconds and multiply that number times four.

That number is your heart rate. To calculate your ideal target heart rate, subtract your age from two hundred and twenty.

Everyone has their own preference of exercise, but these exercises below will get you to your ideal target heart rate and are some of the best cardio exercises.

Walking As Exercise

Walking as exercise fits well into most lifestyles and is something anyone can do at any age. Start out walking at a medium pace and end up walking briskly so you can get to your ideal target heart rate.

Walk where you climb slight grades to increase resistance which will increase your heart rate. Not only will walking as exercise make you feel good it's one of the best cardio exercises to do with a friend.

Bicycling Exercise

Bicycling exercise also offers no age barriers and people at almost any fitness level can enjoy it. The benefit of bicycling exercise is it builds your strength and agility.

Like walking, to get to your ideal target heart rate, find slight grades to ride on to increase resistance. Bicycling exercise is not only one of the best cardio exercises it's not likely that you'll ever get bored.

Swimming Pool Workout

A swimming pool workout is ideal for a full body exercise and cardiovascular fitness. Exercise in water is easy on the joints because the water supports you and water also provides a natural resistance.

To keep your workout balanced, swim laps using different strokes to vary the muscles you work. A swimming pool workout is one of the best cardio exercises because it gets you to your ideal target heart rate quickly.

Elliptical Exercise

Working out on an elliptical exerciser is one of the best cardio exercises available. Like a swimming pool workout, elliptical exercise is ideal for a full body exercise and cardiovascular fitness.

The motion of elliptical exercise feels very natural and compliments normal body movements making it feel like the workout is easier. Elliptical exercise creates a safe workout because it reduces the harmful stress and impact on your muscles and joints.

The duration of any cardiovascular fitness exercise should be a minimum of twenty minutes and up to sixty minutes. Test your heart rate while exercising and calculate your ideal target heart rate.

To get to your ideal target heart rate just adjust your speed or resistance. That way you get the highest possible benefit and the best cardio exercise possible.

Copyright (c) 2005 Treadmill Info.com All Rights Reserved.
by
A treadmill is going to vibrate when in use and since it is sitting directly on your floor, there will be loud noises and constant vibrations each time your treadmill is used if there are not proper mats under them.

These mats will maintain your floors and carpets, minimize vibrations, and reduce the annoying noises that may come from using your treadmill. More times than not these mates are made out of some sort of rubber or cellular vinyl type of byproduct.

A treadmill mat of good quality can deliver many benefits to your treadmill and your floor. The first is that it does protect your flooring and carpet.

As expensive or inexpensive as your treadmill may have been, chances are that your hardwood floor or carpet under the treadmill will cost three or four times than your treadmill to replace if damaged.

These mats also aid in reducing the numbers of dust and carpet fibers in the air. Without the mat, the vibrations discharged by the treadmill will dislodge any loose fibers in the carper, which include the dust that might be tucked away within the carpet.

One of the biggest benefits from using these mats is that it has the potential to prolong the life of your treadmill by dampening the vibrations that are emitted from the usage of the treadmill.

The vibrations caused from your treadmill can possibly make your treadmill work harder and cause a shaking to it that will gradually over time reduce the shelf life of your machine. They are very effective at reducing the amount of noise that is created when your treadmill is on.

If you have ever heard a treadmill without a mat under it, it might sound kind of like an airplane taking off, it is that loud.

Treadmill mats are relatively inexpensive for the amount of headache and money that can be saved in the long term from them. The prices of these mats is somewhere between $25 and $50 depending on what type you decide that you are going to purchase.

This is a small amount to considering the total amount that could be saved in the long term from not protecting your machine and having to purchase another.

by
Diagnosis is a strength of Western scientific medicine because of its dependence on analytical procedures and processes of elimination. Modern technology has given us many ways to see into the body for effective diagnosis of dis-ease. Nowhere is scientific Western medicine so advanced than in the fields of diagnosis. Although the philosophy of Western medicine often comes in for criticism, modern science has produced many ways in which we can examine and image organisms internally and take samples of tissue in hard to reach places.

A qualified doctor should always be the first point of contact for serious disease as they have a good chance of getting you a correct diagnosis. Self-diagnosis is not a good idea except for very minor ailments. If you can, always get a second opinion on any diagnosis. In the UK you are urged to start orthodox cancer treatments within a month of diagnosis.

Diagnosis for cancer uses careful clinical assessment and advanced investigative techniques such as:

endoscopy: an endoscope is a tube-like viewing instrument with lenses and lights or video cameras that is inserted into a body orifice for investigating and treating disorders. If gives doctors the ability to see inside the body and even remove small pieces of tissue for examination (biopsy).

imaging: This process allows doctors to produce images of structures within the body that are otherwise difficult to see. For example short-wave, electromagnetic waves such as X-rays are passed through the body. Some are absorbed and others pass through the tissues to produce a shadow image that is projected onto a film or screen. In x-ray images the bones show up clearly, making it an excellent tool for seeing problems associated with bones or hard objects within the body.

In the 1920’s radiologists discovered that certain substances are opaque to radiation and they began to use them as ‘contrast media’. When these media are introduced into the body they create an outline shape of the cavities they fill, which helps to identify problem areas.

Ultrasound scanning projects high-frequency sound waves through the body, using a transducer against the skin. The waves are reflected back and the pattern of echoes produces an image. Computers are used to create better images. C.T. scanning (Computed Tomography) takes x-rays from different angles and uses the computer to create cross sections or three-dimensional images.

M.R.I. (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) places the patient in a strong magnetic field that passes waves through the body. The computer creates an image by analysing changes in the magnetic alignment of the hydrogen protons in our cells. P.E.T. scanning (Positron Emission Tomography) introduces short-lived radio isotopes into body tissues that are then flooded with gamma rays, recorded and then analysed by computer to produce images.

cytology and histology: Cytology is concerned with the examination of individual cells. The main application in cancer is in the detection of abnormal cells. Histology or hystopathology looks at groups of cells.

laboratory studies: Scientific methodology gives us many ways to analyse and examine bodily extracts.

2. Prognosis

What follows initial diagnosis means identifying appropriate treatments, forecasting the probable course and outcome of the disease (prognostication) and standardising the design of research and treatment protocols. You may be given the option to take part in a clinical study to help assess the effectiveness of a new treatment. Some health centres and surgeries are offered payoffs for enrolling patients in clinical trials which are often ongoing ‘action research’.

3. Treatment

There are four main types of treatment in conventional cancer treatment:

surgery: this offers the best chance when the cancer is contained to a single area and has a low tendency to spread

radiotherapy: invented over 100 years ago, this treatment bombards specific areas of the body with gamma rays.

chemotherapy: uses chemical cocktails that suppress the growth cycles of all cells in the body.

biological therapy: This treatment uses B.R.M.’s (Biological Response Modifiers) such as Interferon or Interleukin-2 to modify biological systems.

Taking these treatments is no guarantee that the cancer will not return. They do not involve looking for or eliminating any causes. To this extent orthodox Western medical approaches to cancer are only palliative.

by
Asbestos is not a thing of the past. It's still used in many manufacturing processes and well as in building components. The following is a list of the top occupations that are putting people at risk. If you work in one of these occupations, or have in the past, it's wise to get regular screenings.

*Any job that includes the manufacturing of asbestos, for example insulation, plumbing supplies, roofing components or other building materials.
*Mechanics are at risk due to asbestos in the brake and clutch linings.
*Tile contractors are at risk due to the dust from cutting some types of tile.
*Oil refinery workers, rail yard and power plant workers can be at risk from various sources.
*Shipyard and/or ship builders are at risk due to the asbestos in pipe insulation and other sources.
*Steel mill workers can come into contact with Asbestos from a variety of insulation and clothing. Asbestos is a great insulator and is used widely in jobs that require a person to be around high temperatures.
*Navy veterans can also be at risk as can Maritime workers.
*Construction workers can be at risk, especially those who do demolition of older buildings.

Who else should be concerned?

Brick layers, plumbers, sand blasters, sheet metal workers, millwrights, welders, painters, Longshoremen, merchant marines, grinders, electricians, drywall contractors, miners, drillers, building inspectors and maintenance personnel are a few more people who are at risk.

Remember, it doesn't take a lot of exposure to affect your life years down the road.

You may also be putting your family at risk. There have been cases where workers family members came down with Mesothelioma even though they were nowhere near the job sites. Evidence suggests that the family members were affected by the Asbestos fibers that came in on the workers clothing, hair and/or shoes.

Get routine screenings if you're in one of these high-risk professions and take every precaution (such as respirators and special clothing) to protect yourself and your family.

This article is not intended to be medical advice. It's for informational purposes only and you should see a qualified medical doctor should you have concerns about your health.

by
Vanadium has been found in human studies to imitate the effects of insulin in our bodies. This ability may allow some of those with diabetes, a natural method to help lower blood sugar, take less insulin, or in some instances stop taking insulin altogether.

Vanadium is believed to assist in the transfer of sugar in the blood (glucose) into muscles, similar to the function of insulin. It is also believed to increase insulin sensitivity in the muscles. This is important to Type 2 diabetics especially, in that one factor in the development of diabetes can be insulin resistance.

This transfer of glucose into muscle tissue has also been touted by weightlifters and body builders. Vanadium allows the body to store more energy in the muscles,therefore decreasing the need for conversion to triglycerides for fat storage.

Diabetics should consult their physician prior to taking Vanadyl sulfate. They should also monitor their blood sugar regularly when taking a vanadyl supplements because of the potential to lower blood sugar and decrease insulin needs.

The effects of vanadium have been shown to last for weeks, even in the absence of further supplementation. Therefore it is suggested that it be taken in cycles.

It is probably best to take vanadyl sulfate supplements for about three weeks and then discontinue their use for about three weeks. By utilizing this valuable adjunct to the treatment of diabetes in this manner, a diabetic can improve sugar control, and avoid any potential toxicity.

br
Fortunately some of the classics are still around. My favorite has always been that wascally wabbit Bugs Bunny and his trademark expression, “What’s up, Doc?” Unfortunately, for many of us the answer to the question, “What’s up, Doc?” is, “Your triglycerides.” Triglycerides are becoming increasingly important in heart health matters. In fact in the ‘Third Report of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP)’, triglyceride testing is recommended as part of a complete cholesterol profile. In other words, it is recommended that doctors evaluate high cholesterol treatments in respect to a patient’s triglyceride levels.

So what’s up with triglycerides? Or perhaps we should phrase the question this way, “Why are my triglycerides so high?” If high triglycerides are really a serious health concern (and they are) then we are wise to be concerned if ours are high. Of course your doctor is the one to isolate the particular cause or causes of your elevated triglyceride levels. Or perhaps you do not have high triglycerides and are concerned to keep things that way. Either way let’s consider some of the things that influence triglyceride levels.

I enjoy backing into a subject so let’s begin with some causes that are not so common. The first grouping can be classified as medical conditions. These would include but are not limited to the following:

Hypothyroidism is one such condition. It occurs when the thyroid does not properly control metabolism resulting in fatigue, weakness, weight gain, cold intolerance as well as many other uncomfortable symptoms. It also tends to raise triglycerides.

Nephrotic syndrome is a serious kidney disease characterized by high levels of protein in the urine and low levels of protein in the blood. It also produces swelling around the eyes, feet and hands due to the retention of fluids. In addition to raising triglycerides it can also raise LDL cholesterol which is tied to coronary heart disease.

Several liver diseases can negatively affect triglyceride levels. One particular liver condition, known as fatty liver, involves the overproduction and accumulation of triglycerides and other fats in liver cells. Severe cases can result in liver cell death.

Familial hypertriglyceridemia refers to a group of rare genetic disorders resulting in high triglyceride levels. It occurs when the lever produces too much triglyceride and in severe cases can cause triglyceride levels in excess of 1,000 mg/dL and pancreatitis (acute or chronic inflammation of the pancreas).

Pregnancy is a not so rare medical condition that causes triglycerides to rise temporarily (usually in the third trimester). The preventive cure for pregnancy, abstinence, is readily available but must people find it a difficult pill to swallow.

Closely related to medical conditions are the medications we take to cure them. Some medications can negatively affect LDL and HDL cholesterols as well as triglycerides. Usually when a patient stops taking the medication his triglyceride levels return to what they were before taking the medication. If you are taking prescribed medicines ask your doctor if they can negatively affect cholesterol and triglycerides.

So much for the less common causes of elevated triglycerides. But now it is time to consider those causes which are usually to blame for our unhealthy condition. It is a short list beginning with diabetes.

Of course diabetes is a serious disease in many respects. In relation to heart disease it is treated as a risk factor equal to that of someone who has documented coronary heart disease. Persons with diabetes who experience a myocardial infarction (heart attack) have an unusually high death rate in either the short or long term. Therefore diabetics need to be very aggressive in lowering triglycerides and LDL cholesterol.

Obesity is next on the list for the most common causes of high triglycerides. Triglycerides are the primary fat in our bodies, the main constituent in our energy system. People who are overweight tend to have much higher levels of these fats. They also have higher LDL cholesterol levels which are perhaps even more serious.

It would not be appropriate to assume that obesity has the same cause in every case. There are many conditions (like hypothyroidism) which can attribute to uncontrollable weight gain. These conditions are beyond our present topic. But I do have to ask this question: Why is obesity on the increase? The United States is becoming fatter. I think most of us suspect that changes in lifestyle habits are the primary contributors to the increase in obesity.

At this point our subject matter takes a turn. The causes we have already discussed are in many cases beyond our control (pregnancy being an obvious exception). Diabetics do not choose to be diabetics. But interestingly enough as we approach the most common cause of rising triglycerides we find ourselves in territory where we do have control. Some causes of obesity are difficult to control. Some are not. These latter causes deserve our focus precisely because we can do something about them. We can get more exercise. It may not be easy or convenient but we can do something about our lethargy. We don’t get enough exercise because we choose not to. Lack of exercise attributes to triglyceride buildup and obesity. In short, we often have high triglycerides because we choose to.

And now we have arrived at the most common cause of elevated triglycerides. And it is also the most controllable. Drum roll please….it is diet. They say you are what you eat. I hope that is not true. I love catfish and it is a bottom feeder. But in respect to health it is often a true statement. Your diet dramatically affects your health. This is most assuredly true when it comes to triglycerides. Our bodies both take in triglycerides when we eat and manufacture triglycerides from the things we eat. That is how we make energy. But diets high in certain foods and low in others cause the body to create and store inordinate amounts of triglycerides. Top on the list is sugar. Simple sugar is easily converted into triglycerides. We were never created to consume the large amounts of processed sugar that have become commonplace in our culture. Other simple carbohydrates also function like sugar. To reduce your triglycerides stay away from simple sugar and carbohydrates and their kissing cousin, alcohol. Complex carbohydrates like whole grains are another matter. They convert to triglycerides much more slowly.

Since triglycerides are fats, a diet high in fat is also a bad idea. But when I mention fats I have in mind mostly saturated fats and of course anything that contains trans-fats. Some fats however should be consumed in large amounts in order to reduce triglycerides. These are polyunsaturated fats especially omega-3. Omega-3 (particularly from fish sources) is well documented to dramatically lower triglycerides. In fact the American Heart Association recommends 2 to 4 grams of omega-3 from DHA plus EPA every day for those trying to reduce triglycerides. That requires eating a whole lot of cold water fatty fish. You can also buy quality fish oil supplements. But buy from a trusted source to guarantee that you are getting what you are paying for and nothing more, such as mercury.

So what’s up with triglycerides? Now you know. The main thing that is up with triglycerides is poor dieting. Fortunately this is within our control. We can be healthier if we choose to be. It simply takes a little awareness and a whole lot of discipline. So the next time you say, “What’s up, doc?” maybe the response will not be, “Your triglycerides.” Maybe it will be, “Your health scores.”

For more information on the causes of high triglycerides and the diets that help reduce them use the links below.

by Greg Post