All About Triglycerides

Triglycerides!

Have you heard of it?

Have you seen yours or any person you know have their Triglyceride values shoot up in a report recently?

Well, I hope not! But here’s everything you need to know about its cause and prevention.

What are Triglycerides?

These are the most common form of Fat in the body that gets used for energy in between meals. Your body stores the excess calories from meals as triglycerides in the fat cells to be used later for energy.

So, its natural, right? Our body is using it for energy. Then where does the issue lie?

Well, the problem occurs when you eat extra calories, sugar, alcohol or fatty foods that your body doesn’t need right away. That’s when they are converted to triglycerides and stored in fat cells.

Now, I think you know where are we getting at..

High Triglyceride levels are considered to be a high risk factor that can lead to narrowing of the arteries (Atherosclerosis) that can lead to stroke, heart attack or other cardiovascular issues. One is also at a higher risk of pancreatitis or liver disease because Triglycerides are made in the liver in response to the food you’re eating.

Now, just the wrong choice of food isn’t always the cause. Here are a few more factors that can increase its levels :

• Family history of having high cholesterol

• Being already obese

• Having high BP

• Drinking excess alcohol

• Having unmanaged diabetes

• Smoking

• Certain medications

All of the above factors can increase your triglyceride levels which ideally should be less than 150 mg/dL.

How to control it?

Well, the same old method :

• Maintain a balanced nutritious diet - have more lean protein sources, fiber, good sources of omega 3

• moderate simple carbs,

• limit alcohol,

• be more active, and

• maintain an optimum weight or fat percentage in your body.

Takeaway:

Once you find your triglyceride levels shoot up in a blood report, consult a doctor who is most likely to advise on the above lifestyle changes. Try following those for a few months and that should bring your levels in control.