Naturopathy, an alternative to traditional medicine, promotes good nutrition and exercise as well as the use of herbs and physical therapy to treat and prevent disease. Some principles of naturopathy prove compatible with traditional medical views about treating triglycerides, a type of artery-clogging fat. But exercise caution with herb recommendations. Ask your doctor whether you can safely turn to naturopathy to lower your triglycerides.
Healthy Triglyceride Levels
Healthy triglycerides measure less than 150 milligrams per deciliter of blood, or mg/dl. In April 2011, the American Heart Association lowered its standard for ideal triglycerides to 100 mg/dl or less, but the higher number remains the standard. Triglycerides that measure more than 200 mg/dl put you at high risk of suffering a stroke or heart attack. If your numbers top 500 mg/dl, you face a very high risk. Your risk further increases if you smoke, drink excessively, don't exercise or have a family history of heart disease or personal history of diabetes or high blood pressure.
Diet
Naturopathy advocates eating whole, rather than processed foods. Triglycerides prove very responsive to changes in your diet, and the naturopathic approach to diet aligns itself with recommendations by the American Heart Association. The AHA, after reviewing more than 500 scientific studies, says you can lower your triglycerides by 20 percent if you follow a low-fat, low-sugar diet. A naturopathic diet that features high-fiber fruits, vegetables and whole grains and limits high-fat, high-sugar processed foods could help you lower your triglycerides. The AHA diet recommends including more plant-based foods and fewer animal products in your meal plans, a view compatible with naturopathic approaches to diet.
Exercise
Naturopathy encourages a healthy lifestyle, including exercise. Exercise can help you lower your triglycerides by 20 to 30 percent, according to the AHA. The AHA recommends you include at least 150 minutes of exercise in your weekly schedule. Similarly, naturopathic principles recommend regular physical activities such as brisk walking, skating, swimming, rowing, riding a bike and jumping rope. If you seek treatment from a naturopath for triglycerides, your plan may also include massage and hydrotherapy, including baths and water exercise.
Considerations
Naturopaths do not typically prescribe medicine, but they may offer herbal remedies to treat triglycerides and other conditions. Herbs can pose side effects and may interact with other medications. Ask your doctor or pharmacist before you combine herbs with your current medications. Before you take herbs for triglycerides or any other reason, research their possible benefits and risks. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, a service of the National Institutes of Health, provides information about naturopathy, herbs and other non-traditional medical treatments.
References
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine; Naturopathy -- An Introduction; July 2010
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Naturopathy; Steven D. Ehrlich, NMD; Sept. 29, 2009
- American Heart Association; Diet, Lifestyle Changes Can Significantly Reduce Triglyceride; May 26, 2011
- MayoClinic.com; High Cholesterol; June 1, 2011
- Natural Stream Naturopathy; Aerobics at Home; Steven Koda, ND
