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The Truth About Triglycerides

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The Truth About Triglycerides

You’ve probably had your blood tested for cholesterol by your health care provider. This lipid, or fat, test measures your total cholesterol, HDL (“good”) cholesterol and LDL (“bad”) cholesterol.

It also measures your triglycerides, which can tell your provider a lot about your health. Triglycerides are the most common type of fat in your body. Most of your body's fat is stored as triglycerides.

Cholesterol and fat

Cholesterol and other fats in your blood are needed for certain body processes. Cholesterol travels to your cells via special carriers called lipoproteins. The total cholesterol reading in a lipid profile test measures the blood cholesterol in all the lipoproteins combined. Low density lipoproteins (LDL) move cholesterol from the liver to other areas of the body. LDL is referred to as the "bad" cholesterol, because some of the LDL particles enter the walls of arteries, where they form harmful cholesterol deposits. High density lipoproteins (HDL) carry cholesterol from body tissues back to the liver. Having plenty of HDL cholesterol means that your body is able to regulate (and reduce) the cholesterol content of body tissues. Cholesterol in HDL has been called the "good" cholesterol.

The source of triglycerides

Food is one source of triglycerides. Your liver also produces them. When you eat extra calories—especially carbohydrates—your liver increases the production of triglycerides.

When you consume—or your body creates—excess triglycerides, they’re stored in fat cells for later use. When they’re needed, your body releases them as fatty acids, which fuel body movement, create heat and provide energy for body processes.

For good health, your triglyceride level should be less than 150 mg/dL, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Border-line high levels are 150 to 199 mg/dL; high is 200 to 499 mg/dL; and very high is 500 mg/dL and greater.

Cause for concern

If you have a high triglyceride level, your health care provider may have talked with you about taking steps to lower it. This is because some lipoproteins that are rich in triglycerides also contain cholesterol. This can lead to atherosclerosis in people with high triglycerides. A person with high triglycerides often has other risk factors for heart disease, such as a low HDL level or diabetes. Very high levels of triglycerides are associated with inflammation of the pancreas. People who are overweight or obese frequently have higher than normal levels of triglycerides. All these conditions may increase your risk for developing heart disease or of having a heart attack or stroke.

Fortunately, lifestyle changes may help you manage your triglyceride levels and other risk factors for heart disease.

Exercise

If you are otherwise in good health, one of the best ways to lower triglycerides is with regular exercise. Choose an activity that gets your heart beating faster. Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise on most days. You don’t need to join a gym or buy expensive equipment. Taking a brisk walk every day can work just as well.

Nutrition

Making the following adjustments to your diet also may help:

  • Consume less saturated fat. This type of fat comes from animal products, such as red meats and whole-milk dairy foods. Choose lean meats, and replace full-fat dairy items with low-fat and nonfat versions.

  • Consume less total fat in your diet. Limit fat calories to less than 30 percent of your total caloric intake.

  • Consume less simple carbohydrates, such as table sugar and syrup. Limit your intake of baked goods made with white flour and sugar. Instead, choose complex carbohydrates, such as found in whole wheat flour, brown rice and vegetables.

  • Eat foods high in omega-3 fatty acids. These fats, found in fish, play a role in helping keep triglycerides down. Salmon, albacore tuna, sardines, and herring all have a lot of omega-3s.

  • Get 25 to 30 grams of fiber a day. Fruits, vegetables and whole grains, such as whole-wheat bread and brown rice, are great sources.

  • Cut back on alcohol. For some people, drinking even a little bit can have a big effect on triglycerides. Talk with your doctor about how much, if any, alcohol you may consume.

Weight management

Lose weight, if you’re overweight. You are overweight if your body mass index (BMI) is 25 or greater; you're obese if your BMI is 30 or greater. You can calculate your BMI by multiplying your weight in pounds by 703, then dividing that number by your height in inches squared.

Medication

If changes in your diet and exercise don’t lower your triglyceride level, your health care provider may recommend medication, such as nicotinic acid (niacin). This B vitamin increases HDL and lowers LDL and triglycerides when taken at levels higher than dietary requirements. Nicotinic acid is sold as both a prescription drug and a dietary supplement, but only the prescription form should be used for cholesterol and triglyceride lowering unless directed by your doctor. Fibrates (gemfibrozil, fenofibrate) help mainly by lowering triglycerides by about 20 to 50 percent. They also may lead to modest improvements in LDL and HDL levels. Omega-3-fatty acids, such as found in fish oil and flax seed oil, may also lower triglyceride levels when taken in prescription strength doses.

Other changes

High blood pressure and smoking both increase your risk for heart disease. So, work with your doctor to manage high blood pressure, and if you smoke, quit.