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4 Ways to Prevent the Most Common Women's Health Problem
You have permission to freely publish this article electronically or in print as long as the resource box below is included. A courtesy copy of your publication would be appreciated. Title: 4 Ways to Prevent the Number One Women’s Health Problem...
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There Is Something Fishy About Triglycerides
I get a kick out of those commercials which portray
conversations at the kitchen table or in the locker room in ways
that we don't normally see. Two women sipping coffee from pretty
china cups might naturally start discussing headache medications
or hygiene. Men might forgo the normal locker room banter for
the much superior topics of foot care or that insurance that
only a duck can seem to remember. Some people even get so
excited about their cholesterol that they stop perfect strangers
on the street to announce significant reductions in their own
cholesterol levels.
Some of these commercials give us an excuse to leave the room
for more pressing matters, while others make us smile in
appreciation of their creativity. But there is one thing they
have in common. They direct our attention to topics of great
importance that we don't naturally discuss. High cholesterol is
one such topic. Fortunately cholesterol is getting more press
these days. Not only do television commercials and news reports
discuss the dangers of high cholesterol, but even cereal boxes
are preaching the message.
Cholesterol is not the only enemy of heart health that is
attracting more attention. Triglycerides are gaining notoriety
in the public eye as adversarial to a healthy heart. Though
triglycerides might not be the topic of choice in the average
locker room I think it is safe to assume that it is of greater
importance than the majority of subjects that occupy center
stage in that arena. Whether or not we choose to speak of such
things most of us know something of their importance and
secretly hope they do not become an important factor in our
lives or in the lives of those we love. But sticking one's head
in the proverbial sand is hardly proactive and does nothing to
avoid potential problems. If triglycerides are an important
health concern we should face the problem eye to eye and take
action in true Western style.
Many doctors have not been alarmed with high triglyceride levels
in their patients as long as cholesterol levels and other
components of the lipid profile are within an acceptable range.
That is because many believe that triglyceride levels alone do
not adversely affect the heart. However, some studies are
beginning to alter that thinking. For example, one study at the
University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore demonstrated
that people who are middle-aged or older having triglyceride
levels above 100 are twice as likely to suffer from a heart
attack, die from a heart attack or undergo treatment related to
heart health than are people with triglyceride levels below 100
(Journal of the American College of Cardiology, May 1998). When
we consider that triglycerides below 150 are within the accepted
"normal" range we have cause to rethink the importance of
triglycerides.
Heart health is not the only thing affected by triglycerides. A
report in the Journal of the American Heart Association stated
that high triglycerides are associated with ischemic stroke and
transient ischemic attacks (TIA). This conclusion came from an
eight year study involving 11,177 patients with coronary heart
disease and no history of stroke or TIA. Those patients who
later suffered from strokes or TIAs had higher than average
levels of
triglycerides and lower than average levels of HDL
cholesterol.
There is no lack of research supporting the thesis that high
triglyceride levels, either in conjunction with other risk
factors or as an independent risk indicator, puts one in a more
dangerous position in relation to heart attack or stroke. There
are many folks who would ignore this fact even if a duck could
learn to say "Triglycerides". But what about the rest of us?
Some of us are concerned. What can we do?
In the early 1970's two Danish researchers observed that Eskimos
had diets very high in fatty fish. They expected to find that
these people would have high incidence of heart disease. In fact
they found the exact opposite. It was discovered that the blood
platelets of Eskimos were not as sticky as those of their
European and American counterparts. The researchers attributed
this "non-sticky" characteristic to the omega-3 fatty acids
consumed in the Eskimos' diet. Further studies have brought
increased knowledge of the effects of fish oils and especially
omega-3 fatty acids for the reduction of blood pressure and fat
in the blood. Studies continue to uncover the positive effects
that omega-3 fatty acids have in the treatment of heart disease,
cancer, diabetes, asthma and arthritis.
Concerning heart health, fish oils decrease the risk of sudden
death from arrhythmia, decrease blood clotting, reduce
atherosclerosis, help lower blood pressure and improve arterial
health. More particular to this essay is the fact that study
upon study has demonstrated that the fish oils in cold water
fish have triglyceride reducing powers. It is no wonder the
American Heart Association since the year 2000 has been
preaching the importance of healthy adults eating fish.
But what about unhealthy adults already struggling with high
triglycerides? The answer that many researchers are giving is,
"Eat more fish." Or more precisely, ingest more omega-3 fatty
acids. People who have elevated triglycerides may need 2 to 4
grams of EPA and DHA (omega-3 fatty acids) per day provided as a
supplement. High levels of omega-3 can not be ingested through
diet alone. You should consult a physician to discuss taking
supplements to reduce heart disease risk. Patients taking more
than 3 grams of omega-3 fatty acids from supplements should do
so only under a physician's care.
Let's face it. Our diets are not nearly what they should be. It
isn't just about calories, carbohydrates and thin waistlines.
Our hearts need more omega-3. If you are a fish lover then
indulge your fantasies. Eat more. If you don't love the slimy
little creatures then fish oil supplements might be your answer.
Perhaps what we need is not a talking duck. Perhaps a talking
trout would be more apropos to get the message out. But I
suppose that would be counter productive for the trout.
For information on triglycerides and Omega-3 please use the
links below:
Omega-3
and Triglycerides
Tri
glycerides
About the author:
Greg has degrees in science, divinity and philosophy and is
currently an I.T. developer.
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