High triglyceride levels can indicate an increased risk of heart disease or undiagnosed type 2 diabetes. Triglycerides are a type of fat, similar to low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, the "bad" cholesterol. A lipid profile blood test will measure both cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Although your body naturally makes some triglycerides, your diet and lifestyle choices also affect your triglyceride levels.
What Are Triglycerides?
Ninety-nine percent of the fat in your body is triglycerides, used to store energy for later use. Calories consumed, but not immediately used for energy, are stored as triglycerides in your fat cells. Overnight and between meals, hormones release triglycerides from your fat cells to use as energy--but if you constantly give your body a fresh supply of energy by overeating, you won't need to use stored fat--which can lead to obesity. Triglycerides and cholesterol are two types of fat in your bloodstream, but your body uses cholesterol to build cell walls and manufacture hormones, while triglycerides provide energy.
Optimal Triglyceride Levels
Ideally, your triglyceride levels should be below 150 milligrams per deciliter, notes MedlinePlus. It's important to fast before a triglyceride test, as triglyceride levels can climb to more than 300 mg/dL after eating. Levels between 150 and 199 mg/dL are considered borderline-high, levels over 200 are high, and any reading over 500 mg/dL is very high. Depending on the cause of your high triglyceride levels, you may have a reading of more than 1,000 mg/dL.
The Causes of High Triglycerides
One of the most common causes of high triglyceride levels is undiagnosed diabetes. Insulin moves both glucose and triglycerides into your cells. If your pancreas doesn't produce enough insulin, or your body doesn't use that insulin effectively, triglycerides will continue to circulate in your blood, rather than be stored in your fat cells. Other common causes of high triglyceride levels are a diet high in fat and refined carbohydrates that are quickly converted into glucose and consumption of alcohol. Even small quantities of alcohol can have a big impact on your triglyceride levels.
Lowering Your Triglyceride Level
A glucose tolerance test will tell you whether your body is using insulin effectively; if your high triglyceride levels are caused by diabetes, stabilizing your glucose/insulin levels will lower your triglycerides. A healthy diet high in fiber, a variety of fruits, vegetables and whole grains and low in saturated and trans fat and dietary cholesterol will lower triglycerides. If you're overweight, lose weight through a combination of calorie reduction and regular exercise. The American Heart Association recommends at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise at least five days per week to reduce triglycerides.
