Triglycerides are a type of fat. High triglyceride levels, like high cholesterol levels, may increase your risk of developing heart disease. Excess fats stored as triglycerides serve as an energy source when your body isn't taking in enough calories. Normal triglyceride levels are 150 mg/dL. A level between 150 and 199 mg/dL is considered borderline, and a level between 200 and 499 mg/dL is considered high. Levels over 500 mg/dL are considered extremely high. Triglyceride levels vary as much as 25 percent from day to day, according to the Merck Manuals Online Medical Library. A number of factors increase your risk of having high triglyceride levels.
Family History
About 1 in 500 people in the United States has familial hypertriglyceridemia, an autosomal dominant disorder that can be inherited if one parent has it, according to Medline Plus. Levels of very low-density lipoprotein, or VLDL, which carries about half of the triglycerides in the body, may also be elevated. Triglyceride levels usually rise in early adulthood and may be associated with early coronary artery disease. People with familial hypertriglyceridemia may also have high insulin and blood glucose levels and may be obese.
Obesity
Because triglycerides are a type of stored fat, being overweight or obese can increase your risk of having elevated triglyceride levels. Losing as few as 5 to 10 lbs. can reduce your triglycerides if you're overweight, MayoClinic.com says. Since extra calories turn into stored fat, cutting calorie intake decreases triglycerides.
Poor Eating Habits
Even if you're not overweight, eating a diet high in saturated fats, especially trans fats and refined sugar, can increase your risk of having high triglycerides. Trans fats, semi-solid or solid fats such as shortening, are found in many processed foods. Some dietary fats, such as omega-3 fatty acids found in fatty fish or available in supplement form, can lower your triglyceride levels. Taking 3g of fish oil daily can reduce triglyceride levels as much as 30 percent, Harvard Health Publications says. Drinking alcohol even in moderation can raise triglyceride levels in some people. Alcohol abuse can also cause high triglycerides.
Medications
Certain medication can increase your triglyceride levels, including some beta blockers, birth control pills, corticosteroids, thiazide diuretics and Accutane, which is used to treat acne.
Inactivity
Inactivity contributes to high cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Exercising for as few as 30 minutes per day can lower triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein levels.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Triglycerides: Why Do They Matter?
- Merck Manuals Online Medical Library: Cholesterol Disorders
- Harvard Health Publications: Treating Other Lipid Problems
- Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide: Should You Worry About High Triglycerides?
- Medline Plus: Familial Hypertriglyceridemia
