In the world of cholesterol there is one type of fat most people give little thought to -- triglycerides. These fats can pose as a much of a health risk to your heart as high levels of low-density lipoproteins, or your bad cholesterol. Taking the time to learn about these fats can make you aware of your risk of health problems in the future.
Triglyceride Basics
Triglycerides are a chemical fat found in both your body and the foods you eat. Their main purpose is to supply your body with energy, however, when you do not participate in enough physical activity, excess triglycerides accumulate in your fat cells until your body requires them for energy. High levels of triglycerides in your blood plasma is known as hypertriglyceridemia, a condition that can contribute to coronary artery disease, according to the American Heart Association. A triglyceride level of 500 mg/dL or more is considered dangerously high.
Risk Factors
Triglycerides are a primary source of energy for your body, deriving from the calories and carbohydrates you eat. Any unused calories and sugars convert into triglycerides, which store themselves for later use; if you do not use them, they continue to collect, causing your levels to rise. Obesity and excess alcohol use contribute as well.
Medical Conditions
Excess levels of triglycerides may result from diseases such as uncontrolled diabetes, kidney disease, hypothyroidism and metabolic syndrome. Cleveland Clinic describes metabolic syndrome as a group of heart disease risk factors that increase your risk of developing heart disease, diabetes and stroke. The exact cause of this syndrome is not known, however, many features are associated with insulin resistance. Numerous health problems can result from this condition, one of which is high levels of triglycerides. Metabolic syndrome affects more than one in five Americans, but has no symptoms. Only your doctor can make a diagnosis, which occurs when you have at least three or more conditions. These include high blood pressure, high triglycerides, a high fasting glucose level, taking medications to lower your blood sugar and waistlines of 40 in or more for men and 35 in or greater for women.
Treatment
You can reduce your triglycerides a number of ways, one of which is losing weight. Cleveland Clinic explains losing 5 to 10 percent of your body weight helps your body recognize insulin, enabling it to reduce the amount of sugar in your blood. This prevents more serious illness from occurring while stopping the conversion of sugar into triglycerides.
Increasing the amount of exercise you get forces your body to release stored triglycerides for energy. Walking for 30 minutes each day can promote weight loss, lower your blood pressure and decrease your risk for diabetes. All of these reduces your risk for heart disease.
The most important change is your eating habits. Cleveland Clinic states that no more than 50 percent of your total calories should come from carbohydrates. The type of carbohydrates is as important as the amount. Focus on whole grain bread and white rice while limiting your intake of cookies, cakes and crackers. Whole grain products take longer to break down and enter your blood stream. This means fewer sugars to convert into triglycerides. Eat more high fiber foods such as beans, fruits and vegetables, and fewer unhealthy fats such as red meat, whole fat dairy and vegetable oils. Replace these with fish, poultry and olive oil.
Visit Your Doctor Regularly
Regular visits to your doctor are the only way to detect and treat high triglycerides and the health problems that might be the cause or result of them.
