There are so many factors that we need to keep in check in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Health check-ups are important part of monitoring your health parameters and keeping them in place. You must be checking your blood pressure, blood sugar and nowadays SPO2 as well. But what if there is another factor most of people are unaware of that can cause similar harm to the body. They are triglycerides, they are a natural part of your body fat, and basically a type of excessive fat which if increases can even cause heart problems. Thus, it is important to keep this factor in check too. For those you don’t know about it, here are some points to brief you about it.
Triglycerides
They are a type of fat that is present in your blood. Dr. Smriti Chaturvedi, General Physician at AIIMS, New Delhi tells some facts about triglycerides. “When you eat something, the calories you intake are used in providing energy to your body. But not all of it is used, the remaining calories gets converted into triglycerides and are stored in the form of fat cells. Hormones also release triglycerides for energy in between the meals. If you don’t burn the calories you intake, then there is a high chance of it getting stored as fats. High triglycerides in the body then result to hypertriglyceridemia, which is harmful for your body.”
- Normal level of triglyceride is less than 150 milligrams per decilitre.
- Borderline high is 150-199 mg per decilitre.
- High Triglyceride is around 200-500 mg/dL
- And very high or dangerous levels of triglycerides are considered above 500mg per decilitre.
How do Triglycerides Circulate in the Blood?
Cholesterol cannot dissolve in blood therefore liver puts cholesterol and triglycerides together along with proteins to circulate in the blood. Proteins are called lipoproteins that circulate in the blood throughout the body. They move these fatty mixtures to area in the body. However even if it moves along protein it does not mean this mixture is good for the body. Infact excess of it in blood can cause some health conditions.
How Do High Triglycerides Affect Your Body?
Excessive amount of triglycerides in the body can cause hardening or arteries which can increase the risk of stroke. It can also thicken the artery walls that can cause blockage and result in heart attack and other heart diseases. Triglycerides above level of 500 mg per decilitre can cause acute inflammation of pancreas and cause serious harm to health.
They are the sign of other health conditions that increase the risk of heart stroke and diseases including obesity, metabolic syndrome, high blood pressure etc. Unfortunately, there are no particular symptoms that can determine high triglycerides in your body. Rather it is the other way round, some health conditions can be a result of increased triglycerides, hence if you have any of these then you need to go for a check-up.
Diseases-
- Type-2 diabetes
- Metabolic syndrome
- Obesity
- Low levels of thyroid hormones
- Rare genetic conditions
Medications-
- Estrogens and progestin
- Retinoid
- Steroids
- Beta Blockers
- HIV medications
- Diuretics
Also Read- DIY Home Remedies To Prevent Food Poisoning
What Are The Risk Factors For High Triglycerides?
These factors can result to increase in levels of triglycerides and cause above mentioned diseases-
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Having a family history of high cholesterol levels
- Liver diseases
- Kidney Diseases
- Menopause
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Thyroid Disease
- Uncontrolled diabetes
- Taking a diet that is high in sugar and simple carbohydrates.
What Are The Ways To Lower Triglycerides?
You can regulate your triglycerides by changing your lifestyle in a simple way. You can opt for these changes to avoid increase of triglyceride levels in the body.
Avoid sugar and refined carbs- Try to intake more of complex carbs instead. Simple carbohydrates such as sugar and foods made with white flour or fructose increases the triglycerides in the body.
Limit your alcohol consumption- Alcohol is actually high in calories and sugar. It has an immediate effect of triglycerides. If you suffer from high levels of triglycerides, then you should avoid drinking alcohol.
Lose Weight- Obesity is one of the major causes of high triglycerides and heart problems. Triglycerides are also stored in the form of fats in muscles around your belly. Hence losing some weight can control the amount of triglycerides in your body.
Exercise Regularly- Workout and exercise for atleast 30 minutes daily so that it can give a good boost to your cholesterol level. Try to do exercises which involve cardio and resistance training. Climb stairs and try to walk daily for keeping your triglycerides down.
Eat Healthier Fats- Have more of omega-3 fatty acids and unsaturated fats in your diet. Use canola oil or olive oil for cooking. You can eat fish or other supplements related to it for good fatty acids. Avoid food with Trans fat or hydrogenated fats.
Also Read- Sepsis Infection: Symptoms, Causes and Risk Involved
Conclusion
Triglycerides are quite harmful for your health if the parameters go up. It needs to be kept in check but unfortunately there are no symptoms which can determine if you have high triglycerides in your blood. However some diseases and medications can result in high triglycerides in the body. To avoid such condition one must get diagnosed if he has any of diseases or taking one of those medications. Triglycerides can affect your health and can cause heart stroke, heart attack, type-2 diabetes and many other serious health conditions. Change your routine and follow a healthy lifestyle to avoid this problem.
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