Triglycerides store unused calories and provide energy to the body. With too much junk food, triglyceride levels can rise (IStock)

He cholesterol is a term known to a large part of the population, it is a fatty substance present in all the tissues of the human body and necessary for the normal functioning of the organism, but in excess has serious consequences by increasing the likelihood of cardiovascular disease.

There are others lipid substances (fats) in the blood in addition to cholesterol, among them are the triglyceridesthe elevation of which also increases the risk of heart disease.

When a person eats food, the body converts all the calories it doesn’t need to use immediately into triglycerides. If consumed regularly more calories than burned – especially foods rich in crabs-, the person may have high triglycerides.

One of the consequences of high triglyceride values ​​is the gradual decrease hardening of the arteries or thickening of the walls of the arteries (arteriosclerosis), which increases the risk of stroke, heart attack and heart disease. High levels of this lipid (fat) substance can also cause acute inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis).

The current recommendation for triglyceride levels in adults is for blood triglycerides to be below 1.7 mmol/l, according to UK experts. A fasting level above 10 mmol/L is considered severe hypertriglyceridemia. This means that triglyceride levels are very high.

To avoid rising triglycerides, spread fat intake throughout the day (Getty)
To avoid rising triglycerides, spread fat intake throughout the day (Getty)

Blood triglyceride levels rise after a meal. The amount of fat consumed will determine the increase in triglyceride levels. To avoid its increase, it is advisable to distribute the consumption of dietary fats throughout the day.

It should also be taken into account that triglycerides can increase as a side effect of diseases such as poorly controlled diabetes or obesity. Controlling these diseases can reduce their levels. Instead, obesity worsens all forms of high triglycerides.

In addition to diet, another risk factor is a sedentary lifestyle. The mess is calledhypertriglyceridemia”. Experts from Cambridge University Hospitals, NHS Foundation Trust, UK have recommended what should be the keys to consider in diet and other aspects.

If you have high triglycerides, diet and lifestyle changes can help lower them, UK experts say.

Deep-sea fish, avocado, nuts and olive oil are some of the sources of omega 3s (Getty)
Deep-sea fish, avocado, nuts and olive oil are some of the sources of omega 3s (Getty)

A low-fat diet should be followed, with less than 30% of daily calories coming from total fat. Choose polyunsaturated fats instead of saturated ones.

For example, oily fish should be included two or three times a week in your diet. This consumption is beneficial because it contains omega 3 fatty acids which can have a beneficial effect on triglyceride levels.

Reduce your intake of high-sugar foods and choose unrefined carbohydrate sources, such as high-fiber breads and cereals. You can consult a nutrition specialist to better guide you in the foods that correspond to each case.

It is important to avoid the type of fat of animal origin, such as butter, chocolates, ice cream, whole milk, very fatty meats, chicken skin, deli meats; hard and semi-hard cheeses.

It is recommended to reduce the consumption of carbonated drinks or other liquids containing sugar and alcohol / Dossier
It is recommended to reduce the consumption of carbonated drinks or other liquids containing sugar and alcohol / Dossier

Beverages such as sodas or others with a high sugar content. You should also limit or abstain from drinking alcohol.

Weight control is recommended if you are overweight. Regular physical activity, such as brisk walking, should be practiced.

If the person has diabetes, they should try to control their blood sugar well. Additionally, people with high triglycerides may also need medication as well as dietary and lifestyle changes. A healthcare professional should be consulted.

Triglyceride levels are detected by having a blood test.  A medical consultation is recommended to prevent it from increasing the risk of other conditions / File
Triglyceride levels are detected by having a blood test. A medical consultation is recommended to prevent it from increasing the risk of other conditions / File

High levels of triglycerides increase the risk of cardiovascular disease because the increase in fatty substances in the blood can cause both hardening of the arteries and thickening of the artery walls.

High triglycerides are often a sign of other conditions that increase the risk of heart disease and stroke, including obesity and metabolic syndrome, a group of conditions including excess fat around the waist, high blood pressure, high triglycerides, hyperglycemia and abnormal cholesterol levels.

The doctor usually checks for high triglyceride levels with a cholesterol test, sometimes called a lipid panel or lipid panel. The person must fast before the blood test to get an accurate triglyceride measurement.

It is essential to get at least 30 minutes of physical activity per day, such as brisk walks / File
It is essential to get at least 30 minutes of physical activity per day, such as brisk walks / File

Yes, in some people high triglycerides can also be a sign of type 2 diabetes or prediabetes. They can also be part of metabolic syndrome, which is a condition in which high blood pressure, obesity, and high blood sugar occur together. This increases the risk of heart disease.

High triglycerides may also be associated with low levels of thyroid hormones (hypothyroidism) and certain rare genetic conditions that affect how the body converts fat into energy.

High triglyceride levels are sometimes a side effect of taking certain medications, such as: diuretics, estrogens and progestins, retinoids, steroids, beta-blockers, some immunosuppressants, and some HIV medications

Continue reading:

Triglycerides and Cholesterol: What Are High Levels and How to Lower Them to Avoid Heart Disease
High Cholesterol: These 10 Signs Help Identify One Of The Quietest Enemies
Patients at higher cardiovascular risk must have lower LDL cholesterol levels to avoid a heart attack

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