New approach discovered to lowering triglycerides

March 31, 2009

CORVALLIS, Ore. - Studies done with laboratory rats suggest that supplementation of their diet with lipoic acid had a significant effect in lowering triglycerides, which along with cholesterol levels and blood pressure are one of the key risk factors in cardiovascular disease.

In the lab animals, supplements of lipoic acid lowered triglyceride levels up to 60 percent. If the effect were the same in humans - which is not yet clear - that would be a greater impact than found with other dietary supplements, and similar to the effects of some prescription drugs.

The results were just published in the Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics, a professional journal.

"The extent of triglyceride reduction was really dramatic, we didn't expect it to be this profound," said Regis Moreau, an assistant professor with the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University. "The potential is good that this could become another way to lower blood triglycerides and help reduce the risk of atherosclerosis. It's pretty exciting."

Lipoic acid is a natural compound found at low levels in some foods, including red meat and green leafy vegetables. A powerful antioxidant, it's been of considerable research interest in recent years for its apparent ability to reduce mitochondrial decay in cells and perhaps slow the process of aging. And it's been used in Europe for decades as a treatment for the neuropathic complications of diabetes.

"Lipoic acid is known to influence glucose uptake, and bring down blood glucose by increasing its transport into skeletal muscle," Moreau said. "Less has been done to study its potential value in reducing triglycerides."

Until about 10 years ago, Moreau said, high blood levels of triglycerides - basically a form of fat - were not thought to be as significant as cholesterol at predicting atherosclerosis and heart disease. That perspective has changed, he added, and most experts now see triglycerides as a third important risk factor for atherosclerosis, along with levels of "good" HDL and "bad" LDL cholesterol.

Widely prescribed medications are often taken to influence all of these issues, especially when efforts to control them with diet, exercise, and proper weight have not been effective. However, some of these medications have unwanted side effects that remain a concern.

In this research, it was found that supplements of lipoic acid appeared to affect triglyceride levels through two pathways. After eating, lipoic acid supplementation increased the rate of disappearance of triglycerides in the bloodstream. And supplements also reduced the genetic expression of enzymes in the liver that synthesize triglycerides.

This is the first study that has identified the molecular targets by which lipoic acid can lower triglyceride levels, the researchers said, and to show the effect on liver enzymes resulting in less production of triglycerides. It also found that the mechanism of action of how lipoic acid can lower triglycerides appears separate and distinct from that provided by fibrate drugs, a group of prescription medications often used for that purpose.

Lipoic acid supplements have in various studies been shown to be an appetite suppressant, but control groups of laboratory animals were used in this research to ensure that lower triglyceride levels were not the result simply of less food intake.

The rats used in the experiment were obese to begin with, and developed higher triglyceride levels as the experiment proceeded and they aged - but the animals given lipoic acid fared much better. As they grew from five weeks of age to nine weeks, the blood triglyceride levels doubled in rats given the supplement, but went up more than 400 percent in the other group not given supplements.

The amount of lipoic acid supplementation used in these laboratory experiments would equate to about two grams per day for a 150-pound person, researchers said. Lipoic acid has been used by some people for years as a dietary supplement and found to be safe, Moreau said.

Tory Hagen, a principal investigator and holder of the Jamieson Endowed Chair in Healthspan Research at the Linus Pauling Institute, was a co-author on this study. The work was supported by the National Institutes of Health and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

"We believe that a novel means of controlling triglyceridemia in this animal model has been revealed," researchers wrote in their report. "Given its strong safety record, lipoic acid may have therapeutic applications for the treatment or prevention of hypertriglyceridemia and diabetic dyslipidemia in humans."

Oregon State University

---

---

	Choose This not That for High Triglycerides: Choose This Not That Series by Personal Remedies LLC (Author) Inside this book, you will find a list of food items and easy to follow suggestions on how to improve your health through nutrition and the food choices you make every day. Suggestions are provided for those with high triglycerides or those who are prone to develop this condition. In addition, the book contains similar information for those who have one of the following common health conditions, risks or a diet preference along with high triglycerides: Alzheimer’s disease Cancer risk Depression Diabetes Excess body weight or obesity Gout High blood pressure High cholesterol Stress Vitamin D deficiency All the material and suggestions presented in this book are based on the content licensed from Personal Remedies, LLC. The primary sources used by Personal...
	How to Lower Triglycerides & Cholesterol Naturally Life can change in the blink of an eye. In one quick moment, your entire future could be changed by a new awareness. Dramatic life altering news can either make us stronger or weaker. Most of the time, the actual news does not hold the most impact on our life, but it is our response to the event. Being human, it is very easy to accept success. But when we show that we can overcome the odds through perseverance, this is what helps us obtain our life successes. Read and discover a great true story of how a 34 year old male naturally lowered his triglycerides and cholesterol to normal levels in just 2 short months. Sean Lewett reveals his successful plan that helped him quickly and naturally lower his triglycerides from 575 to 93. He also normalized his cholesterol...
	What You Should Know About Triglycerides: The Missing Link in Heart Disease by Dennis Sprecher (Author) The most recent scientific evidence suggests that triglycerides, like cholesterol, can be a significant factor in developing heart disease. Triglycerides are particles of fat made from food or manufactured in the body and then are carried through the bloodstream. Some studies show that people with elevated triglyceride levels are twice as likely to develop heart disease as those with lower levels. This comprehensive Q&A guide provides the latest information on triglycerides and how they relate to diet, exercise, cholesterol levels, and heart disease. What is considered a safe triglyceride level?What is the relationship between triglycerides and cholesterol?Which foods are likely to raise your levels of triglycerides?How does weight affect triglycerides?Why are triglycerides referred to as...
	Quick Tips for Lowering Cholesterol and Triglycerides Points to follow in order to lower Cholesterol and Triglycerides without using medication. Foods that can help decrease cholesterol and triglycerides. Exercise options.
	Cholesterol Down: Ten Simple Steps to Lower Your Cholesterol in Four Weeks--Without Prescription Drugs by Janet Brill (Author) Take Control of Your Cholesterol— Without Drugs If you are one of the nearly 100 million Americans struggling with high cholesterol, then Dr. Janet Brill offers you a revolutionary new plan for taking control of your health—without the risks of statin drugs. With Dr. Brill’s breakthrough Cholesterol Down Plan, you simply add nine “miracle foods” to your regular diet and thirty minutes of walking to your daily routine. That’s all. This straightforward and easy-to-follow program can lower your LDL (“bad”) cholesterol by as much as 47 percent in just four weeks. Cholesterol Down explains Dr. Brill’s ten-point plan as well as the science behind it. You’ll learn how each miracle food affects LDL cholesterol and how the foods work together for maximum effect,...
	Cholesterol & Triglycerides: Questions You Have ...Answers You Need by Ellen Moyer (Author) Cover shows ordinary signs of shelf wear and use, but all pages are clean, bright and intact. SHIPS NEXT BUSINESS DAY!
	Cure Indigestion, Heartburn, Cholesterol, Triglyceride & Liver Problems with Artichoke Extract by David Steinman (Author), Gary Ross M.D. (Author) Cure Indigestion, Heartburn, Cholesterol, Triglyceride & Liver Problems with Artichoke Extract
	Bring Your Triglycerides Down Naturally: A Drug-Free Solution to High Blood Lipids. Revised and Expanded 2nd Edition by Andrew Mierzejewski (Author) Expanded, revised and up-to-date second edition of this much sought-after book on high blood triglycerides. Some of the most important insights you can learn from this comprehensive source of practical information include: 1) health risks marked by high blood triglycerides; 2) right and wrong foods to lower (and prevent) elevated blood triglycerides; 3) effects of high-carbohydrate diet on the triglycerides synthesis and metabolism; 4) standard medical treatments and triglyceride-lowering prescription drugs; 5) dietary and lifestyle changes necessary to optimize blood lipid profile; and 6) the unique dietary supplement that could be a regular part of your lifestyle as it would optimize the blood triglyceride levels. Authored by Andrew Mierzejewski, RHN, MA, an accomplished registered...
	Bring Your Triglycerides Down Naturally: A Drug-Free Solution to High Blood Lipids by Full of Health (Publisher)
	9 Silent Assailants Threatening Your Heart and How to Beat Them: A practical handbook on nutrition and supplements to help protect you both before and after the fact using the nine spear strategy by Paul Boucher (Author), Dr. Frederic J. Vagnini (Foreword) FORWARD OF 9 SILENT ASSAILANTS BY Frederic J. Vagnini, MD, a noted doctor in the field of cardiovascular and metabolic disease, author and host of "The Heart Show" on WOR on Sun-4-5PMEST highly recommends reading "9 Silent Assailants" Other doctors' recommendations: Alan R. Hartman MD Chairman Dept. Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery -and- K.V. Krishnassastry, M.D. Chief, Vascular & Endovascular Surgery Long Island's North Shore University Hospital Manhasset, New York (600 + beds) Reader's Comments about 9 Silent Assailants: R. G.Harrigan, Coral Gables, FL: "Paul, I have just finished your book. You have provided the information that's overwhelming so many people in trying to understand their options as related to chronic and life-shortening illnesses. The effort of...