For the first time, researchers have linked high levels of blood fats called triglycerides to an increased risk of stroke.
When the researchers accounted for other risk factors for stroke, people with more than 200 mg of triglycerides per dl of blood were nearly 30% more likely to have an ischemic stroke or TIA than people with lower levels of the blood fats.
Ischemic strokes, which occur when a clot or narrowed artery cuts off the brain's blood supply, account for about 80% of all strokes. The other 20% are due to broken blood vessels in the brain.
High triglycerides and the low levels of HDL, or "good," cholesterol that usually coexist are important risk factors for the main type of stroke, called ischemic stroke, among patients with heart disease.
Circulation December 11, 2001;104:2892-2897
It is important to note that triglycerides are only really accurately measured after an 8 to 12 hour fast.
The fact that elevated triglycerides are harmful is not new. I posted an article over four years ago on the site that showed that the triglyceride/HDL ratio may be one of the most potent predictors of heart disease.
I have found that if this number is below 2 the person is generally at a low risk of heart disease.
It is no surprise to see this. Thus, one who has an elevated triglyceride level, which effects blood vessels in the brain, would have an increased risk of stroke.
Fortunately, elevated triglycerides is one of the easiest problems to correct. I have never seen an elevated triglyceride level that was not highly responsive to the eating plan.
Grains and sugars require insulin secretion, which is a potent stimulus to the liver to make triglycerides.
Unfortunately, most adults have great challenges implementing the eating plan. That is where EFT can help.
I recently conducted a training seminar on how to perform this technique and it is now available on video. There is a one year money back guarantee on the video and it may be one of the best investments that you could make since it may radically improve your ability to follow the eating plan and implement an exercise program to help you lower your weight. These tapes should provide you with a solid introduction to EFT, complete with numerous live examples.