Triglycerides --

Triglycerides - What Are They ?

Triglycerides are a form of fat in the bloodstream. People with high triglycerides often have a high total cholesterol, a high LDL bad cholesterol and a low HDL good cholesterol level. Many people with heart disease also have high triglyceride levels. Several clinical studies have shown that people with above-normal triglyceride levels (greater than or equal to 200 mg/dL) have an increased risk of heart disease. People with diabetes or who are obese are also likely to have high triglycerides.

Recent research shows elevated levels of triglycerides can indicate a higher of risk of coronary heart disease (CHD), especially when combined with high cholesterol levels or in certain groups. High levels may also indicate diabetes and increase the risk of pancreatitis.

What Are Triglycerides For ?

Triglycerides are essential to the human body. They lay an important role in metabolism as energy sources. They contain a bit more than twice as much energy (9 kcal/g) as carbohydrates and proteins. In the intestine, they are split into glycerol and fatty acids (with the help of lipases and bile secretions), which can then move into blood vessels. They are rebuilt in the blood from their fragments and become constituents of lipoproteins. Various tissues can release the free fatty acids and take them up as a source of energy. Fat cells can synthesize and store them. When the body requires fatty acids as an energy source, the hormone glucagon signals their breakdown by hormone-sensitive lipase to release free fatty acids.

Where Do We Get Triglycerides From ?

They are made in the body by the liver, but also another source is from our diet. They are found mainly in animal products and other sources of saturated fat. These dietary lipids are absorbed through the stomach lining and then are delivered through the bloodstream to the liver, where they are processed.

Their Role In Disease

In the human body, high levels of triglycerides in the bloodstream have been linked to atherosclerosis, and, by extension, the risk of heart disease and stroke. However, the negative impact of raised levels is lower than that of LDL cholesterol. The risk can be partly accounted for a strong inverse relationship between the triglyceride level and HDL cholesterol level.

Other diseases caused by high triglycerides include pancreatitis.

Reducing Triglyceride Levels

Cardiovascular exercise and low-moderate carbohydrate diets containing essential fatty acid are recommended for reducing levels. When these fail, fibrate drugs (and some statins) are registered for doing it.

Healthy Tryglyceride Levels

If your triglyceride levels are less than 150 mg/dL, then that is considered a healthy, normal, level. Raising that to 150-199 mg-dL would be time to take note as that is considered borderline high. At 200-499 mg/dL your levels are high and over that, 500mg/dL or more is considered very high.

It is usual that people with high tryglyceride levels have an underlying disease or genetic disorder. If this is the case then the best thing to do about it is to make some changes to your lifestyle. Things like weight management, eating foods low in saturated fat and cholesterol, getting regular excercise, quitting smoking and drinking less alcohol can help.

Limiting the intake of carbohydrates to no more than 45-50% of total calorie intake can also help. This is because carbohydrates raise tryglycerides and lower HDL cholesterol in some people. To achieve this goal try using products with monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.