Triglycerides (TGs) are now considered an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). When TGs are elevated, lipoprotein metabolism is altered, which increases CVD risk. Patients with elevated TGs and low high-density lipoprotein are at particularly high risk of CVD.

Triglycerides have taken a back seat to cholesterol because information linking triglyceride blood levels to artery hardening, heart attack and stroke was scanty. Now evidence implicates triglycerides as bearing some responsibility for clogging arteries and having a hand in heart attacks and strokes.

The data strongly suggest that triglycerides are a causal factor in CAD. Exactly how triglycerides may contribute to coronary artery disease is still undetermined. LDL cholesterol is known to cause CAD by contributing to the build-up of “plaque” along the artery walls.

Triglyceride levels should be below 150 mg/dL (1.69 mmol/L). Levels between 150 mg/dL (1.69 mmol/L ) and 199 mg/dL (2.25 mmol/L) are considered borderline high. Levels between 200-499 mg/dL (2.26-5.63 mmol/L) are considered high. Levels above 500 mg/dL (5.64 mmol/L) are considered extremely high.

High levels of triglycerides increase your risk of heart disease and pancreatitis. Eating or drinking too many calories can lead to high triglyceride levels. The good news is that you can take steps to lower triglyceride numbers.

High triglycerides may contribute to hardening of the arteries or thickening of the artery walls (arteriosclerosis) — which increases the risk of stroke, heart attack and heart disease. Extremely high triglycerides can also cause acute inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis).

Selected Therapies for Managing Hypertriglyceridemia

The most common causes of high triglycerides are obesity and poorly controlled diabetes. If you are overweight and are not active, you may have high triglycerides, especially if you eat a lot of carbohydrate or sugary foods or drink a lot of alcohol.

Drinking coffee—especially unfiltered coffee—significantly contributes to increased levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and triglycerides, researchers have reported. The more coffee consumed, the higher the concentrations of LDL-cholesterol and total cholesterol, they found.

This article explores 13 ways to naturally reduce your blood triglycerides.

1. Aim for a healthy-for-you weight.
2. Limit your sugar intake.
3. Follow a lower carb diet.
4. Eat more fiber.
5. Exercise regularly.
6. Avoid trans fats.
7. Eat fatty fish twice weekly.
8. Increase your intake of unsaturated fats.

Eating omega-3-enriched eggs can lower blood triglycerides, another important risk factor ( 19 , 20 ). Blood levels of carotenoid antioxidants like lutein and zeaxanthin increase significantly ( 21 , 22 , 23 ).

The researchers also say that people with high triglycerides should focus on eating more vegetables; fruits that are lower in fructose such as cantaloupe, grapefruit, strawberries, bananas, peaches; high-fiber whole grains; and especially omega-3 fatty acids, which are found primarily in fatty fish such as salmon.