high density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) are the two main types of cholesterol found in our bodies. Our bodies produce LDL, also known as “bad cholesterol,” and absorb LDL from diets that are high in cholesterol, such as red meat and dairy products. LDL has the ability to interact with fats and other chemicals in the blood, causing arteries to become clogged.
Blood flow can be reduced by clogging the arteries, leading to major health problems such as heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. Therefore, reducing LDL levels is recommended by health coaches and doctors due to its potential repercussions.
HDL, also known as the good cholesterol, helps maintain a healthy heart. HDL transports bad cholesterol (LDL) out of the arteries. In general, doctors advise patients to have high levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol.
Triglycerides (TGs) are a form of fat found in the blood. Your risk of heart disease can go up if your triglyceride levels are high. Fortunately, you can lower your triglyceride level by following suggested guidelines for many other conditions, such as losing weight, exercising, and avoiding refined carbohydrates.
According to research, triglyceride levels can affect the risk of heart disease if they get too high. When too many calories are consumed, the body stores them as triglycerides for use at a later stage. Triglyceride levels are considered normal when they are less than 150 mg/dL and high when they are over 200 mg/dL.
Many people can reach a healthy level by making lifestyle modifications. Therefore, it is imperative to reach out to experts in the field, such as the nutrition experts at HealthifyMe, who can immediately identify the root cause and make changes to nutritional intake/food plan and exercise regimen to steadily reduce the health/medical problem.
What causes high triglycerides?
High triglyceride levels can be caused by a variety of conditions. However, your genes, medical history, and medications are sometimes to blame.
diet
It’s easy to see how a high-calorie diet can produce higher triglyceride levels. The body converts calories it doesn’t need right away into fat, triglycerides.
The body stores fat for later use in energy release. However, a continued increase in stored fat leads to unhealthy levels of fat accumulation, and the liver will need to manufacture more triglycerides to store those extra calories. Thus, a well-balanced diet must be ensured to ensure healthy levels of triglycerides.
You can develop high levels of triglycerides if you consume too many calories, especially from harmful carbohydrates and saturated fats.
obesity
High levels of triglycerides in the body can be the result of obesity resulting from a poor diet. Also, this is related to caloric intake and how the body stores extra calories.
Additionally, there is research done to support the idea that obesity activates fat-producing genes in the body, causing you to produce more triglycerides than your body can utilize.
One common side effect of obesity is insulin resistance. When insulin resistance occurs, body tissues stop responding to insulin. As a result, the body struggles to burn fatty acids, such as triglycerides.
smoking
According to many researches, smoking leads to high triglyceride levels. There could be two reasons for this. The first is that tobacco products, especially nicotine and tar, are known to stimulate the production of other triglycerides in your body.
Smoking also reduces the amount of high-density lipoproteins, also known as good cholesterol, which your body uses to fight off the buildup of arterial plaque.
alcohol consumption
According to studies, alcohol raises triglycerides in the body due to its high calorie and sugar content. In addition, heavy alcohol consumption can increase production of very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), increase the flow of free fatty acids from adipose tissue into the liver, and impair the body’s ability to break down fat.
Therefore, excessive alcohol intake is associated with alcoholic fatty liver disease, pancreatitis, and cardiovascular disease, as well as increased levels of triglycerides in the blood.
These are some of the reasons why the triglyceride level can be high without affecting the cholesterol level.
How are triglyceride levels determined?
To determine triglyceride levels, one should fast for 9 to 14 hours (only water intake is allowed). Abstain from alcohol for 24 hours before the test.
Blood is generally drawn from a vein at the back of your hand or the front of your elbow. One can take this test also on a mobile device. For example, as part of a lipid panel, the device takes a small blood sample from a finger prick and checks for triglycerides.
Nowadays, a portable device to check triglycerides at home is available. In addition, one can use a kit to mail the blood sample to a lab to help monitor triglycerides at home. To find out more about home tests/kits, talk to your doctor.
With age, elevated triglyceride levels become more problematic. Your healthcare professional can suggest more frequent testing as the risk increases.
In addition, you may need more frequent exams if you have diabetes, if you have a family history of high cholesterol, or other risk factors for heart disease. Women and men need annual checkups between the ages of 55 and 65. Children also need tests to check for triglycerides and cholesterol. Usually, a child is examined between the ages of 9 and 11 and again in their early 20s (between 17 and 21).
What are the risks of high triglyceride level?
High triglycerides can harden the arteries, which increases the risk of stroke, heart attack, and heart disease by thickening artery walls. Acute pancreatitis can also be caused by high triglycerides (pancreatitis).
The chance of heart disease and stroke increases due to obesity and metabolic syndrome. It is characterized by excess body fat around the waist, high blood pressure, high triglycerides, high blood sugar, and abnormal cholesterol levels.
Very high triglyceride levels can indicate:
- Type 2 diabetes or prediabetes
- When both high blood pressure, obesity, and high blood sugar are present, this is known as metabolic syndrome, which increases the risk of heart disease.
- Low thyroid hormone levels (hypothyroidism)
- Some unusual genetic disorders affect how your body uses fat for energy.
treatments
One healthcare expert suggests lifestyle modifications as the first defense against high cholesterol. These modifications can include:
- Reduce or eliminate trans and saturated fats
- Eat more healthy foods and stick to a diet rich in fatty salmon, brown grains, fruits and vegetables
- Do moderate exercise for at least 150 minutes to lose weight
- Reduce alcohol consumption and quit smoking or vaping
To control your cholesterol levels, you may need medication. Thus, many medical professionals may advise a combination of medication and lifestyle modifications. Medications used to treat high cholesterol include:
statins
A class of drugs known as statins prevents the liver from making LDL cholesterol. They are used once daily by mouth and come as tablets. People may need to take certain statins at specific times of the day.
Fluvastatin (Lescol), atorvastatin (Lipitor), and pravastatin are examples of statins that are prescribed. During treatment, the doctor may have to adjust the dose of the drug.
In addition, doctors may recommend fibrates in addition to statins and cholesterol-lowering medications. Fiber lowers triglyceride levels and raises levels of good cholesterol in the blood.
supplements
Consumption of omega-3 fatty acids lowers cholesterol. It is found in vegetable oils and fatty foods such as salmon. Omega-3 fatty acid supplements can be taken regularly by people with high cholesterol.
Niacin is a type of B vitamin that helps lower triglycerides and raise good cholesterol. One should only take niacin for high cholesterol under a doctor’s supervision.
Cholesterol blockers
Cholesterol absorption inhibitors reduce cholesterol by preventing the body from absorbing cholesterol. They can be prescribed by a doctor on their own or in combination with statins. One such medication is ezetimibe (Ezetrol).
Monitor and manage your triglyceride levels with HealthifyMe
Monitoring cholesterol levels and overall health has become difficult and time consuming due to today’s fast paced lifestyle and strict work schedule.
Subscribe to any premium HealthifyMe plan Which fits your lifestyle can be a smart, practical and healthy decision. Depending on your cholesterol level and other metabolic markers, HealthifyMe can help you better understand your healthcare alternatives. A food and calorie tracker, exercise instruction, hydration, sleep, BMI, and weight trackers are all included in the HealthifyMe app.
Plus, equipment-free home workout videos are available for both genders, making getting fit and losing weight fun and simple.
Mobile users of iOS and Android can access HealthifyMe. In addition, you can choose your own health and fitness coach to help you get your cholesterol levels back to normal after downloading the app and subscribing to a plan.
To choose the perfect HealthifyMe premium plan, you plug in your body type, blood cholesterol, lifestyle, weight, and medical history.
HealthifyMe note
When cholesterol is tested, triglycerides are also measured. Your body also needs a certain type of blood fat called triglycerides to produce energy. However, high triglyceride levels can contribute to heart problems as well as low HDL, or high LDL cholesterol. In addition, if you eat a lot of meals high in triglycerides, you are more likely to develop diabetes.
Your lipid profile is a window into the state of your heart. You can take measures to lower your cholesterol if it is high. You can create a personal plan with your doctor to reduce your risks. It may lower your chance of having heart problems in the future.
conclusion
Very high triglyceride levels can be caused by consuming too many calories. The good news is that lowering triglyceride levels is entirely in your hand. Furthermore, your health coach will make important recommendations for heart-healthy lifestyle changes.
Medication is also necessary. Take the medication as directed if your doctor has given it to lower your triglycerides. Medications can be helpful, but don’t neglect making healthy lifestyle changes.
For example, incorporating smaller meals and healthy food choices consisting of complex carbohydrates, protein, soluble fiber, and good fats can help you lower your triglyceride levels naturally.
