Triglycerides
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Triglycerides

One type of fat that is frequently seen in your body is triglycerides. They can be found in butter and other dietary fats. Additionally, excess calories are converted to triglycerides for later usage. High triglyceride levels, however, can increase your risk of heart attacks and strokes. Normalizing triglyceride levels can be achieved by exercise and other healthy practices.

What are Triglycerides?

Fats from our diet are called triglycerides. The majority of the fats we consume, such as butter, are triglycerides. Triglycerides are produced by your body from excess calories, alcohol, and sugar. Your body keeps them in fat cells all across your body, much like pantry shelves. Triglycerides might be utilized later on if needed.

They are a kind of lipid or fat that is most prevalent in our bodies and can be discovered in our blood. When we consume more calories than our bodies require, triglycerides are created. They are used when your body requires energy in between meals and are kept in the fat cells.

Triglycerides may be elevated in your blood if you consistently eat more calories than you expend or if you frequently eat foods high in carbohydrates. Common foods that include triglycerides include butter, oils, and fats that we frequently eat. You may find out how many triglycerides are in your bloodstream with a straightforward blood test called a lipid panel or lipid profile. You can see the normal and elevated triglyceride levels in the accompanying table.

What distinguishes cholesterol from triglycerides?

Triglycerides, however, are fats, but cholesterol is not. The waxy material your liver produces is called cholesterol. It supports your neurological system and helps your body form cell membranes. It is also crucial for hormone production and digestion.

Triglyceride Levels

NormalBelow 150 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl)Below 1.7 millimoles per liter (mmol/L)
Borderline High150-1901.8-2.2
High200-4992.3-5.6
Very High200-4995.7 or above

Why is it dangerous to have high triglyceride levels?

High triglycerides are bad for you because they can promote artery hardness or thickening, which increases your risk of heart attack and stroke. Other health issues like high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, low levels of good cholesterol, and high levels of bad cholesterol are frequently linked to higher numbers.

Additionally, pancreatic and liver disorders are linked to elevated triglyceride levels.

Symptoms of High Triglycerides

There are frequently no symptoms associated with elevated triglyceride levels. If you have a hereditary disease that causes elevated levels, you may occasionally develop fatty deposits beneath your skin.

What causes high triglycerides?

Triglyceride levels in the blood are elevated due to a number of lifestyle variables. They are not the direct causes of triglycerides, but rather risk factors:

  • Regular high-calorie diet
  • Obesity
  • Excessive alcohol consumption
  • Genetic disorders
  • Thyroid diseases
  • Cigarette smoking
  • Liver or kidney diseases
  • Poorly controlled type 2 diabetes
  • Certain medications

Risk Factor For High Triglycerides

There are certain established risk factors for triglycerides. They’re:

  • High triglycerides or high cholesterol in the family.
  • Menopause.
  • Pregnancies.
  • HIV.
  • Hereditary lipid metabolism disorder.
  • South Asian roots.
  • Excessive blood sugar and diabetes
  • Smoking
  • excessive weight
  • Not exercising
  • Elevated blood pressure

What are the triglyceride therapy options?

Changes in lifestyle, including diet and frequent exercise, can help decrease triglycerides. When triglyceride levels cannot be controlled by lifestyle modifications, medication becomes necessary. The effects of healthy lifestyle choices on triglycerides are well established.

  • Regular exercise
  • Weight loss
  • Healthy diet
  • Avoid alcohol consumption

Regular exercise: Healthcare providers advise you to work out for at least half an hour every day. It’s also a good idea to incorporate healthy behaviors like taking regular breaks at work, going to neighboring stores, and utilizing the stairs rather than the lift. Frequent exercise lowers triglycerides and raises the body’s good cholesterol.

Weight loss: A significant contributing factor to elevated triglyceride levels is obesity. Calories are burned and triglyceride levels naturally decrease as you lose weight.

Healthy diet: Triglycerides and cholesterol can be reduced with a nutritious diet. Reducing sugar, processed carbs, and high-calorie foods is essential. Consumable foods include low-calorie foods, foods strong in fiber, proteins, and healthy fats.

Avoid alcohol consumption: Alcohol has been shown to contain a lot of calories and sugar, and it can raise triglycerides. Medical professionals advise either limiting or completely abstaining from drinking. For cigarettes, the same caution applies.

Medication: Reducing elevated triglycerides using medication

When lifestyle modifications are insufficient to lower elevated triglyceride levels, doctors may recommend medication to lower the levels.

  • Fibrates
  • Fish Oil
  • Niacin
  • Statins
  • PCSK9 Inhibitors

You must take your prescriptions exactly as directed by your doctor. Remember that healthy eating and exercise are just as important as taking medicine, and they can help lower elevated triglycerides.

What problems might high triglyceride levels cause?

Numerous severe side effects, including coronary heart disease and stroke, might result from elevated triglyceride levels. The risk of acute pancreatitis can also be raised by extremely high triglycerides. In this illness, the pancreas becomes inflamed, which results in severe abdominal pain.

In what ways might triglycerides be prevented?

By making little lifestyle adjustments, high triglyceride-related complications and health issues can be avoided or minimized. Your doctor will advise you to avoid high-calorie foods and to be active every day.

Avoiding alcohol and cigarettes may also be recommended. If diet and exercise are insufficient to lower elevated levels, your doctor may recommend medication. A healthy lifestyle is usually sufficient to maintain normal triglyceride levels.

Summary

Our bodies need triglycerides, but when they reach a particular level, they can cause a wide range of health issues. Consult your healthcare professional and request a cholesterol test if you suspect that your triglyceride levels may be elevated.

Your risk of pancreatitis and heart disease is increased by high triglyceride levels. Excessive calorie intake from food or drink might raise triglyceride levels. You can reduce your triglyceride levels, which is good news. There are heart-healthy lifestyle adjustments that your healthcare practitioner can recommend.

FAQ’s

Are triglycerides and cholesterol the same?

Our blood contains two distinct forms of fat: triglycerides and cholesterol. Triglycerides give our bodies energy and store surplus calories, whereas cholesterol is in charge of creating hormones and individual cells. Both are more hazardous to us than they normally are.

What does it mean if your triglycerides are high?

Elevated blood triglycerides raise the risk of metabolic syndrome, obesity, heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and abnormal cholesterol.

Is coffee bad for triglyceride numbers?

Triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), and total cholesterol are thought to rise in the body as a result of coffee, particularly unfiltered coffee.

How can I lower my triglycerides quickly?

It takes time to reduce your triglycerides. Only regular exercise, avoiding foods high in fat and calories, increasing fiber intake, maintaining a balanced diet, and abstaining from coffee will help you reach your goal.

Which drink is good for triglycerides?

It has been established that consuming sweetened beverages raises the body’s triglyceride levels. Medical professionals say that the greatest beverage to keep your triglycerides within normal ranges is water. Green tea has also been shown in several trials to help decrease triglycerides and LDL cholesterol.

References:

  • Professional, C. C. M. (2024, May 1). Triglycerides. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/11117-triglycerides
  • Hospitals, A., & Askapollo. (2024, October 15). Triglycerides: normal values and treatment for increased levels. Apollo Hospitals Blog. https://www.apollohospitals.com/health-library/triglycerides-normal-values-and-treatment-for-increased-levels/

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