Triglycerides are a type of fat that is present in our blood. In addition to blood pressure and cholesterol levels, keeping track of triglycerides in the body is essential to maintain a healthy heart condition and reduce your risk of cardiovascular diseases. And this article provides you much a needed overview of what are triglycerides, what role do triglycerides play, and why should you care about your triglycerides?
What are triglycerides?
Triglycerides are lipids or fats that are stored in our blood. The body converts excess calories from dietary fats such as meats and oils into triglycerides. Triglycerides are stored in the body as an energy source that, if not used, accumulate into our bodies, resulting in high triglycerides. Between meals, the hormones release triglycerides for energy.
Triglyceride levels are usually included in the Cholesterol test. However, the two aren’t the same.
How are triglycerides different from cholesterol?
Both triglycerides and cholesterol are fatty substances that are not soluble in the blood and circulate in the body with lipoproteins.
Cholesterol is essential for nerve synthesis, building cells, and certain hormones, whereas triglycerides are a form of fat or lipid stored by our bodies to provide energy. They are processed from the extra calories that the body doesn’t require.
When should I be concerned about triglycerides?
High levels of triglycerides can result in cardiac ailments and other organ diseases. It is best to keep triglyceride levels on normal to avoid any risk factors. You can refer to the following chart to keep an eye on your triglyceride levels.
| Normal | < 150 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) | <1.7 millimoles per liter (mmol/L) |
| Borderline high | >150 and <199 mg/dL | >1.8 and < 2.2 mmol/L |
| High | >200 and <499 mg/dL | >2.3 and < 5.6 mmol/L |
| Very high | >500 mg/dL | >5.7 mmol/L |
Why do high triglycerides matter?
High levels of triglycerides can lead to artery hardening(arteriosclerosis) and can cause inflammation in the pancreas. They can also be a sign of an underlying problem like diabetes. Let’s take a look at potential damages that high triglycerides can cause:
- Heart
Triglycerides beyond a certain range begin to accumulate in the arteries. If the triglycerides are high for a prolonged duration, it thickens the walls of the artery and increases the risk of cardiac ailments such as stroke and even heart attack.
- Pancreas
When triglycerides exceed high levels, it might lead to pancreatitis that causing inflammation in the pancreas. DUe to pancreatitis, digestive enzymes in the pancreas become stimulated and begin to kill internal cells that cause nausea, vomiting, fever, and intense abdominal pain.
High triglyceride levels are also linked to insulin resistance which leads to type 2 diabetes. In this situation, The pancreas eventually stops producing enough insulin, and the cells cannot use the glucose.
- Liver
Patients with elevated triglyceride levels are more likely to develop liver ailments as a result of lipid accumulation. Fatty liver disease in later stages can lead to serious complications such as permanent liver damage and cirrhosis.
What are the causes of high levels of triglycerides?
High triglyceride levels can be attributed to multiple factors such as :
- Obesity
- Poor dietary habits
- Poorly controlled diabetes
- Hypothyroidism
- Liver and kidney ailments
- Smoking and Excess Alcohol Consumption
- Rare genetic diseases
- Side-effect of medications
What foods are high in triglycerides?
Consumption of food high in sugar and fat is one of the main causes of triglycerides. Triglycerides make up the majority of the fats we consume, including butter, margarine, and oils. Excess calories, alcohol, and sugar in the body are converted to triglycerides. These are some of the Food that you can avoid to prevent high levels of triglycerides:
- Sugary Drinks
- Baked Goods
- High-Fat Meats
- Butter
- Processed Foods
- Refined Grains
- Starchy Food such as pasta or cereals
What is the best treatment for high triglycerides?
Treating high levels of triglycerides involves implementing lifestyle changes and a constant follow-up consultation with your doctor.
If it doesn’t reduce naturally, your doctor might prescribe you some medications to control high triglyceride levels.
How to reduce triglycerides naturally?
Following a healthy lifestyle will help lower triglycerides and return them to normal levels. To maintain a healthy and active lifestyle, you can incorporate the following adjustments:
- Eat healthily
Avoid foods with high triglycerides and replace them with a healthier substitute. For example, you can replace butter with olive oil,
- Limit Alcohol Consumption
Alcohol might be one of the causes behind your high triglyceride levels. Limit or avoid it completely to have a significant impact.
- Exercise Regularly
Physical activity for about 30 minutes regularly will aid in the reduction of triglycerides. Avoid a sedentary lifestyle and include more physical activities in your routine such as walking, jogging, swimming, etc.
- Maintain a healthy weight
If you’ve been diagnosed with mild to moderately high levels of triglyceridemia, try to maintain your body weight in the normal range by reducing your calorie intake and regular exercising.
What are the medications available for high triglycerides?
If significant lifestyle changes fail to curtail your triglycerides levels, then your doctor might prescribe medication to lower the levels of triglyceride, such as:
- Statins: These include drugs like atorvastatin calcium (Lipitor) and rosuvastatin calcium.
- Fibrates: Drugs such as Fenofibrate (TriCor, Fenoglide, and others) and gemfibrozil (Lopid) can be used to treat high triglycerides. However, you should avoid using this medication if you have any other kidney or liver ailment.
- Niacin: Nicotinic acids can lower the levels of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. However, they have significant side effects.
- Fish Oil: Omega-3 fatty acids can also be used in moderate levels.
Conclusion
Triglycerides are often ignored when it comes to preventing risks for heart diseases. However, it is important to take necessary preventive measures for a healthy lifestyle to maintain normal triglycerides and reduce any potential damage that might come with high levels of triglycerides.