Should people with high triglycerides avoid alcohol?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am 41, and my triglycerides have been high for a while now, and I am trying to clean up my habits. I still like having a drink once in a while, and was wondering if there is any type of alcohol that is less harmful. I know the best answer is probably not to drink at all, but I am curious. Is wine any better than beer or liquor when your triglycerides are high? Or should I just skip alcohol completely?

Kindly help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I am sorry to hear about your high triglycerides.

When triglycerides are high, alcohol can be one of the things that keep them elevated because the body can quickly convert alcohol into triglycerides. There is not really a safe type of alcohol that is good for triglycerides; wine is sometimes viewed as healthier in other contexts, but it can still raise triglyceride levels, and beer can be a problem because of the extra carbohydrates.

Spirits may have fewer carbs if taken plain, but alcohol itself can still affect triglycerides. If your levels are only mildly high, an occasional drink may not make a big difference for some people, but if they are significantly elevated, taking a break from alcohol for a few weeks or months and rechecking your numbers can show how much it affects you.

The best approach is to focus on overall habits:

Less sugar and refined carbs.
Regular exercise.
Healthy weight.
Discuss your exact triglyceride level with your doctor.

If you tell me about your TG (triglycerides) levels, I can better advise you.

I hope this helps.

Revert in case of more queries.

Thank you.