Triglycerides are a type of fat found in your blood and are typically measured when you get a cholesterol test. The calories you eat during a meal that are not immediately used for energy are converted to triglycerides and transported to fat cells to be stored for later use. Elevated triglycerides increase your risk for developing cardiovascular disease and may also be a consequence of untreated diabetes.
Function
Stored triglycerides are used for energy and are released by hormones between meals. If you typically eat more calories than you burn, especially refined carbohydrates and fats, your triglycerides may be high. While often measured as part of a cholesterol test, triglycerides and cholesterol are different types of fats your body uses for different functions. Triglycerides are used for energy needs and cholesterol is used for building cell walls and hormones.
Measuring Triglycerides
A simple blood test measures your triglyceride level. You should not eat for eight to 12 hours before your test and alcohol and drugs may also affect your test results. A normal triglyceride level is less than 150 mg/dL. A triglyceride level between 150 and 199 mg/dL is considered borderline high and between 200 and 499 mg/dL is high. Triglyceride levels above 500 mg/dL are classified as very high.
Considerations
Stephen Nissen M.D., cardiologist, reports in "U.S News & World Report" that even though triglycerides are a less reliable predictor of heart disease than cholesterol levels, they are still important to keep within the healthy range. Elevated triglycerides are often accompanied by high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes and low levels of "good" high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. These conditions together are known as metabolic syndrome and dramatically increase your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Your lifestyle plays a key role in controlling your triglyceride level.
Triglyceride Control
To help control your triglycerides, the American Heart Association recommends decreasing the number of calories you consume, if you are overweight. Consuming fewer calories than your body needs each day may help you reach your ideal weight. Increasing the amount of vegetables and fruits in your diet, while decreasing the amount of saturated fat and trans fat, can also help reduce triglycerides. Participating in moderate-intensity exercise for at least 30 minutes on five or more days each week also helps control triglycerides and improve overall health.
