• Triglycerides are a form of fat found in your blood. When you eat, your body turns calories to energy. Whatever calories are left over are converted to triglycerides and stored in your fat cells. Hormones then release those triglycerides for energy later.
  
  

• Although the production of triglycerides occurs naturally and is an important part of good health, high levels of triglycerides can lead to hardening of the arteries. And that, in turn, can increase your chance of a stroke, heart disease or a heart attack. You might not even realize your triglycerides are high; there generally will be no symptoms. But a blood test will tell you what you need to know.
  
  

Causes

• There are many reasons why your triglyceride level could be elevated. Not surprisingly, considering how triglycerides are produced, taking in too many calories is one of them.
  
  

• Other factors could include illness (diabetes, hypothyroidism, kidney disease and liver disease all have been known to play a role in high triglyceride levels), medication (including birth control pills, water pills, steroids and beta-blockers), family history and even your age. The older you get, the higher your triglyceride level will be.
  
  

Diet and Exercise

• If you would like to reduce your triglyceride level, one place to start would be a diet and exercise program. Cut back on calories if you are overweight, limit your cholesterol intake, eat more fruits and vegetables, engage in physical activity at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week, and curtail your alcohol consumption. (Even a small amount of alcohol can bring about a big change in your triglyceride level.)
  
  

• But don't stop there. Reduce your consumption of trans fats, such as those found in fried foods and commercial baked goods. (Hint: If you're not sure a food contains trans fats, scan the ingredients list and look for the phrase "partially hydrogenated.")
  
  

• In addition, replace saturated fats with unsaturated fats. Saturated fats come from animal and dairy products and certain tropical oils, including palm oil, palm kernel oil and coconut oil. Unsaturated fats, on the other hand, include those found in olive oil, canola oil and corn oil.
  
  

• And cut back on red meat such as hamburgers in favor of fish high in omega-3 fatty acids. Those types of fish include mackerel, salmon and albacore tuna.
  
  

Prescriptions

• If exercise and an improved diet aren't enough, your doctor might prescribe one or more medications to lower your body's production of triglycerides and to remove triglycerides from your blood. Some of the medications used to treat cholesterol problems -- niacin, fibrates and statins -- often will help lower triglyceride levels, too.
  
  

• If you're on statins, remember to inform your doctor about any side effects, including muscle pain and gastrointestinal problems such as nausea, diarrhea or constipation.