Atherosclerosis sets in when cholesterol and fat build up in the blood to such an extent that they get deposited on the walls of the arteries. This process actually starts from when a person a child and ends up becoming a problem when the child turns into an adult and reaches the age of 50 or 60 years. The cholesterol and fat turn into plaque and make the channels of the arteries smaller. Sometimes, the build up is so great that the entire artery can get blocked. When this happens, it ends up cutting blood supply to the heart or brain leading to a heart attack or stroke.

Besides unhealthy eating habits, smoking, stress, obesity and sedentary lifestyle can also lead to atherosclerosis. Usually this is a hereditary condition. In other words, if there is a family history of the condition, the chances are high that you too can get the condition. Also, men are more prone to the condition than women.

However, you can reduce the risk of atherosclerosis by eating sensibly. You should make an effort to eat food that is low in saturated fats. Fish is one such food that can help you combat atherosclerosis. Fish that contain polyunsaturated fats and Omega 3 fatty acids should be consumed. These include tuna, salmon and mackerel. In fact, you can eat any fatty fish to help you fight this condition. You should try and have at least two fish meals each week.

The Omega 3 helps to remove fats and triglycerides that build up in the arteries. Also, the acid helps to avoid clumping of blood platelets. This ensures that the blood flows smoothly without taking on a sticky texture. Also, Omega 3 fatty acids help to lower blood pressure. Besides fatty fish, other sources of Omega 3 fatty acids include wheat germ, green leafy vegetables like kale and spinach and flaxseed.

Another thing that you should try to incorporate in your food is garlic. It contains a compound known as ajoene, which keeps the blood from clotting and forming clumps. It also lowers the bad cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood.

Antioxidants should be part of your daily diet plan. These help to prevent the free radicals from oxidizing the bad cholesterol. Once LDL cholesterol, or bad cholesterol, gets oxidized, it immediately attaches itself to the walls of the arteries. Therefore, you should eat food that contains Vitamin C, Vitamin E and beta carotene which are all antioxidants. Concentrate on eating peppers, strawberries, oranges, carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, mangoes, collard beans, wheat germ, nuts, seeds and vegetable oils to get your daily dose of antioxidants.

Cholesterol is a form of fat that is found in your blood, and triglycerides are the same. A form of fat found in your blood. And like cholesterol they are a risk factor for heart disease and heart related health problems. You need to pay attention to your levels, and you do that by going to your doctor for a checkup from time to time.

But once you’ve been told you’ve got high triglycerides the obvious question is how to lower your triglycerides. Because if you don’t you’re more at risk of heart disease, and death from heart related problems. And there are always many people looking for a natural solution that doesn’t involve drugs. Of course there are drugs that you can take to combat the problem, but many prefer that as a last solution, and prefer to try a natural alternative first.

So lets see firstly what they are, and what creates them. Triglycerides are a form of fat found in your blood and through your body. They are stored in fat tissue and are carried by the blood, and having a level that is too high can indicate potential health problems that include heart disease, but also an increased risk of diabetes, kidney disease and thyroid disease.And they can contribute to other health problems related to high cholesterol too.

The problem is caused by diet and lifestyle factors like eating foods too high in fat, particularly saturated fats, eating excess sugar, being overweight and drinking too much alcohol.

So as you can see high triglycerides are a serious risk factor to your health. But the good news for those wanting to know how to lower your triglycerides naturally is that they can respond very well to several natural solutions. The first is to start using daily Omega 3 supplements. Fish oil is a prime source of Omega 3 fats, and it is now well established that Omega 3 fats are extremely good for your heart health generally as well as for lowering triglycerides in particular.

Of course you could just eat more fish, but because fish is generally contaminated with nasty toxins the FDA recommends that we don’t eat too much fish. The best fish oil capsules aren’t contaminated and you can safely take your fish oil daily. Note that not all fish oil capsules are the same, it’s extremely important to select the best capsules, which as it turns out are also quite cost competitive with some of the less effective capsules.

The other natural ways to lower your triglycerides are simple, though not necessarily easy. It’s important to lose weight and change your diet to include more fresh fruit and vegetables and to reduce your intake of alcohol. Reduce intake of fats, especially saturated fat, and sugar. Replace red meat with fish one or 2 days a week.