Triglyceride is the most common type of fat in the body; it is the main component of vegetable and animal fats. The body converts excess calories into triglycerides, stores them in fat cells and releases them when it needs energy. Thyroid problems, obesity, uncontrolled diabetes, some genetic factors, heavy alcohol consumption, high-calorie nutrition, liver or kidney disease may cause triglyceride levels to be higher than normal. High level of triglycerides can increase the risk of heart disease, heart attack and stroke. The best way to reduce triglyceride is to live healthy. Consuming healthy, unsaturated fats instead of trans fats, reducing carbohydrate intake, regular exercise, weight control, quitting smoking, reducing sugar, refined foods and alcohol can help you reduce triglycerides in a short time.
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Triglyceride is a type of fat in the blood, sometimes it is called lipid. It is the final product obtained from digestion of fats in foods. When eating, body converts calories that do not need to be used immediately into triglycerides and stores them in fat cells. Later, when extra energy is needed, hormones release triglycerides. If you consume more carbohydrate foods and get more calories than you normally spend, you may experience the problem of high triglyceride (hypertriglyceridemia). (1)
Because of their high carbon content, triglycerides are the best way to store energy. They play a role in delivering fatty acids to muscles and tissues for energy and burning them for energy. When the body needs energy, it releases triglycerides as fatty acids and consumes them.
Triglyceride levels in the blood are measured in milligrams (mg/dL) per deciliter. Normal levels for adults are as follows:
Depending on your risk factors, personal and family health history, a routine blood test called a lipid panel measures total cholesterol, HDL (good) – LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood. Blood triglyceride levels after meals are usually higher than normal; therefore, it is recommended to look at the lipid profile after 8-12 hours of fasting.
Many factors, such as alcohol consumption, menstrual cycle, time of the day and recent exercise, can also affect levels. Levels higher than 200 mg/dL increase the risk of heart attack, stroke and death. High triglycerides is diagnosed at levels above 500 mg/dL.
High triglycerides is a type of lipid disorder. It may also be a sign of other conditions that increase the risk of obesity, metabolic syndrome, heart disease and stroke. (2)
High triglycerides is also known as hyperlipidemia, hypertriglyceridemia, dyslipidemia and lipid disorder. It is a disorder associated with an increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
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Some triglyceride-rich lipoproteins contain cholesterol. This may lead to the stiffness of the arteries and thickening of the arterial walls (arteriosclerosis). This increases the risk of stroke, heart attack and coronary heart disease. Very high levels can lead to pancreatic inflammation (acute pancreatitis), which causes severe pain in the abdomen.
High triglycerides usually does not show any symptoms; therefore, having a routine blood test to check your cholesterol and triglyceride levels helps protect against illness. Clinical signs of high triglycerides include ischemic vascular disease, acute pancreatitis, and significant lipid accumulation.
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Mediterranean diet is usually advised to reduce triglycerides. This diet is based on the limitation of carbohydrates and the consumption of unprocessed foods with a low glycemic index containing high levels of healthy fat.
Triglycerides is important criterion of heart health. It is linked to the possibility of having a heart attack or stroke. Very high triglycerides often comes up with the following and may pave the way for serious cardiovascular problems: (7)
Lipids are the fats in the body. The main lipids in the bloodstream are cholesterol and triglycerides. They play a crucial role in building and maintaining essential parts of cells, such as cholesterol, cell membranes, and making several essential hormones, including estrogen, progesterone, vitamin D, and steroids.
Triglycerides, chains of high-energy fatty acids, provides most of the energy required for tissues to function. So you can’t live without cholesterol and triglycerides.
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The level of triglycerides in blood is as important as cholesterol levels in case of heart diseases. High levels of triglycerides in combination with high LDL (bad) cholesterol or low HDL (good) cholesterol are associated with fat accumulation in artery walls; this increases risk of heart attack and stroke. HDL and triglycerides are often inversely related: as triglycerides rises, HDL decreases.
Fats stored in the body balance the body temperature, protect the internal organs, and meet energy needs. There are two different types of adipose tissue in our bodies that are different in terms of location, structure, color and quality: brown and white/yellow fat cells.
Fats are just as important as carbohydrates and proteins. Consuming a certain amount of fat is very necessary for your health, because some vitamins need fats to be absorbed by the body. Lipoidosis occurs when we gain extra calories. Consuming too much protein and carbohydrates can also lead to lipoidosis.
Therefore, counting calories is recommended by many dietitians. The best thing to do is to exercise regularly, pay attention to your sleep, avoid stress and follow a balanced diet where you consume a high amount of fiber.
Resources and References:
1- Triglyceride2- High Blood Triglycerides,3- Triglycerides: Why do they matter?4- High Blood Triglycerides,SHARE ARTICLE
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