We eat a lot of cheese and nuts and wonder whether this habit contributes to our problem. Although you and your husband seem to have separate problems, they may be related. Triglycerides and cholesterol are the two major fats in the blood stream. They are necessary for people's metabolism and are primarily manufactured by the liver. While most of the fats in our blood streams are governed by genetic factors, diets can certainly affect the levels.
Cholesterol is a primary component of animal fat and, by extension, dairy products.
Your husband's problem is more complex. High triglyceride levels are often present in diabetics, heavy drinkers and obese patients, as well as in people who consume high-fat diets. In addition, some medications, such as diuretics and cortisone, cause the triglycerides to rise. Therefore, a doctor should determine whether there is a secondary cause for your husband's triglyceridemia. In any case, he should follow a low-fat diet, obtain additional exercise, reduce alcohol consumption, avoid fried foods and cut out the cigarettes if he is a smoker.