Triglycerides are fat molecules that make up most of your body fat and the fat found in food. Elevated triglyceride levels are a component of metabolic syndrome, a group of disorders that increase your risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. Very high triglycerides may also cause pancreatitis, a serious inflammation of the pancreas.

For many years, I took time-released niacin (nicotinic acid) to lower triglycerides. Mayo Clinic says, “Niacin (nicotinic acid), the most effective available pharmacotherapy for increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, also lowers triglycerides and hence may be useful.” It helped some but not enough.

Dr. Jason Fung writes, “High-carbohydrate diets increase VLDL secretion and raise blood triglyceride levels by 30-40%. This phenomenon is called carbohydrate-induced hypertriglyceridemia and can occur with as little as five days of high intake. Similarly, increased intake of fructose has been linked to hypertriglyceridemia.”

Before I started eating low-carb, my triglyceride levels were typically 245-500 mg/dL. After eating low-carb, the numbers plummeted to below 100!

References

Woolley, Elizabeth; medically reviewed by Do-Eun Lee, MD. “10 Causes of High Triglycerides in Diabetes: What Causes Elevated Levels?” Very Well Health (updated July 7, 2020). https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-causes-high-triglycerides-in-diabetes-1087722 (accessed on 8/3/2020).

Goldberg, Ronald B., and Terry A. Jacobson. “Treatment of High Triglycerides: Effects of niacin on glucose control in patients with dyslipidemia.” Mayo Clin Proc. 2008 Apr;83(4):470-8. doi: 10.4065/83.4.470. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18380993 (accessed on 8/3/2020).

Fung, Dr. Jason. “Hyperinsulinemia and Hypertriglyceridemia T2D 29,” The Fasting Method, n.d. https://thefastingmethod.com/hyperinsulinemia-hypertriglyceridemia-t2d-29/ (accessed on 8/3/2020).

10 Causes of High Triglycerides in Diabetes
What Causes Elevated Levels?
https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-causes-high-triglycerides-in-diabetes-1087722

High Triglyceride Levels (Hypertriglyceridemia)
https://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes-complications/high-triglyceride-levels.html

Hyperinsulinemia and Hypertriglyceridemia T2D 29
https://thefastingmethod.com/hyperinsulinemia-hypertriglyceridemia-t2d-29/

The Secrets in Your Triglycerides
https://www.wheatbellyblog.com/2017/11/the-secrets-in-your-triglycerides/

Triglyceride and HDL-C Dyslipidemia and Risks of Coronary Heart Disease and Ischemic Stroke by Glycemic Dysregulation Status: The Strong Heart Study
https://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/40/4/529

Triglycerides and Diabetes
https://www.webmd.com/cholesterol-management/diabetes#1

Treatment of High Triglycerides
Effects of niacin on glucose control in patients with dyslipidemia.
Niacin (nicotinic acid), the most effective available pharmacotherapy for increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, also lowers triglycerides and hence may be useful.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18380993