Elevated blood sugar and triglyceride levels are closely linked. Insulin is a hormone produced by your pancreas that helps move both glucose and triglycerides out of your bloodstream and into your cells. Your body uses glucose right away for energy, and triglycerides are a type of fat your body stores to use for energy later -- overnight or between meals.
Blood Sugar and Triglycerides
The majority of fat in your body is triglycerides -- a type of fat made from excess calories. When you eat, especially carbohydrates such as sugar or starch, your body produces glucose -- its primary energy source. Some glucose is used immediately; excess glucose is converted into glycogen and stored in your muscle tissue. If you have more glycogen than your muscles can store, excess glycogen goes back to your liver and is converted to triglycerides and stored in your fat cells. The more muscle mass you have, the less glycogen gets transformed into triglycerides. Of course, the less glucose you produce, the less glycogen needs to be stored, which is why a low-carb diet is often recommended for high triglycerides.
Insulin Resistance
One of the first warning signs of insulin resistance, also called prediabetes, is elevated glucose and triglyceride levels. Insulin resistance occurs either when your pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when it still produces insulin but your body doesn't use that insulin effectively. Although insulin resistance may be caused by genetics, being overweight and not exercising definitely contribute to the problem. Maintaining a healthy body weight is one of the best ways to fight insulin resistance because fat interferes with your body's ability to use insulin.
Dangers of High Glucose and Triglyceride
Chronic high glucose levels increase your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, kidney failure, nerve damage and blindness. Elevated blood sugar weakens smaller blood vessels and can cause them to rupture, depriving organs, tissues and muscles of oxygen-rich blood and vital nutrients. High triglycerides increase your risk for heart attack and stroke because they can build up in larger blood vessels, much like bad LDL cholesterol, narrowing your arteries and restricting blood flow.
Treating Insulin Resistance
You can prevent high triglycerides and blood sugar by modifying your diet and increasing your physical activity level. If lifestyle changes alone aren't helping, your doctor may prescribe medication to help. Because sugar is the easiest type of food for your body to convert into glucose, it should be limited in your diet. Eat high-fiber carbohydrates such as legumes, whole grains, vegetables and fruit, instead of processed and refined grains. Avoid added sugars and junk food. Pay attention to portion control, overeating healthy food can still lead to weight gain and too much glucose and triglycerides.
