Like cholesterol, triglycerides are a form of fat often associated with negative health implications. In fact, triglycerides are an important source of energy for your body. Most of the triglycerides in your body are located in your fat tissue, but a small percentage of triglycerides circulate through your blood. If the amount of triglycerides in your blood gets too high, however, your risk of cardiovascular disease increases.
Triglyceride Values
The amount of triglycerides in your blood is often tested as a part of a lipid profile, that includes values for total cholesterol as well as HDL and LDL cholesterol. For adults, desirable triglyceride levels are less than 150 mg/dL. If your triglyceride levels fall between 150 and 199 mg/dL, they are categorized as borderline high and triglycerides levels between 200 and 499 mg/dL are high. Triglyceride levels of 500 mg/dL are considered very high and significantly increase your risk of heart disease.
Causes of High Triglycerides
One of the most common causes of high triglycerides is your diet. Excess calories and too much sugar in the diet directly raise triglyceride levels. Being overweight or obese also increases your risk of high triglycerides. Other lifestyle factors that cause high triglycerides include physical inactivity, cigarette smoking and excess alcohol consumption. Underlying medical conditions, such as Type 2 diabetes, kidney disease and hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid gland, also drive up triglycerides. Some people are also genetically predisposed to developing high triglycerides.
Lifestyle
If you have high triglycerides, your doctor will usually recommend a series of diet and lifestyle changes, which, according to the American Heart Association, are the main therapy for lowering triglycerides. Cut back on excess calories that are converted to triglycerides in your body. Reduce the amount of saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol in your diet and avoid foods that contain a lot of sugar. Avoid alcohol as much as possible because even a small amount of alcohol significantly increases triglyceride levels. Fruits, vegetables, non-fat or low-fat dairy products and whole grains should provide the basis of your diet. Incorporate at least 30 minutes of exercise on most days of the week.
Other Treatment
If diet and lifestyle changes are not enough to lower your triglycerides, your doctor may recommend one or a combination of medications to lower help. These medications, which may include fibrates or niacin, are not intended to be a substitute, but rather a complement for, diet and lifestyle changes.
