To lower triglyceride levels during pregnancy, you need to perform physical activities and follow an appropriate diet in accordance with the guidance of a nutritionist. The use of medications to reduce the concentration of triglycerides is contraindicated during pregnancy, as it may interfere with the baby’s development.
During pregnancy, it is normal for the concentration of triglycerides to increase due to hormonal changes that occur in the woman’s body. However, even if it is normal, it is important to pay attention to its levels, as very high concentrations can pose a risk to the mother and baby.
How to lower triglycerides during pregnancy
Some simple and important steps to lower triglycerides are:
- Reduce fats in your diet, such as olive oil, oil, butter, cheese or fatty meat.
- Eliminate alcoholic beverages.
- Reduce sweets, such as cakes, jams, condensed milk or filled cookies.
- Eat fish, such as salmon or hake, at least 3 times a week.
- Eat fruits and vegetables 5 times a day.
- Drink 1.5 to 2 liters of water per day.
- Practice physical activity every day, such as walking, preferably with professional supervision.
These attitudes help reduce cholesterol levels circulating in the blood, keeping mother and child healthy. Although the diet may seem restricted, it is possible to have an adequate diet to reduce triglyceride levels and provide the amount of nutrients necessary for the baby’s development. Find out how the triglyceride diet works.
The use of medications to lower cholesterol is contraindicated during pregnancy due to possible effects related to the baby’s development.
Risks of high triglycerides
Although it is normal to have an increase in triglyceride and total cholesterol levels during pregnancy, it is important that there is control. Because when the levels are very high, there may not only be an accumulation of fat in the mother’s vessels but also in the baby’s, which can cause the baby to be born with heart problems, for example.
Other risks of high triglycerides in pregnancy are:
- Atherosclerosis;
- Pancreatitis;
- Hepatic steatosis;
- Derrame cerebral (AVC);
- Cerebral ischemia.
Normally, all these risks can be reduced when the level of triglycerides in the blood is low or within ideal limits. Learn more about high triglycerides.
