Triglycerides Guideline

Triglycerides are an important energy source for the human body. Calories from eating are used for energy, but any calories consumed after that are stored in the body as triglycerides. An excess of triglycerides may lead to serious health conditions if they are consistently unregulated.

Effects of High Triglycerides

• Triglycerides are measured as part of a cholesterol or heart disease blood test to determine whether or not a group of conditions called "metabolic syndrome" exists--increased blood pressure, elevated insulin levels, excess body fat around the waist or abnormal cholesterol levels--that occur together, increasing your risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes. The American Heart Association explains that an excess of triglycerides in the body is harmful because it leads to a condition called hypertriglyceridemia, which has led to coronary disease in some cases or may be an indication of an untreated form of diabetes.

  The American Heart Association released the following guidelines for triglyceride levels:
  Normal: less than 150 mg/dL
  Borderline-High: 150--199 mg/dL
  High: 200--499 mg/dL
  Very High: 500 mg/dL

  If your triglyceride levels reach beyond normal, a change in lifestyle habits is likely necessary.

High Triglyceride Triggers

• WebMD.com highlights several triggers that may elevate triglyceride levels, including obesity, an underactive thyroid, kidney disease, consuming more calories daily than burned and alcohol abuse.

Monitoring Consumption

• Adverse effects to high triglyceride levels can be avoided by consuming the recommended number of calories for your weight and age range. For all age ranges, the American Heart Association recommends the following guidelines for managing a healthy triglyceride level:

  1. Get 30 minutes of high-intensity exercise at least five times per week
  2. Reduce alcohol intake
  3. Eat fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products
  4. Eat fish high in omega-3 fatty acids instead of meats high in saturated fat
  5. Substitute monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats--such as those found in canola oil, olive oil or liquid margarine--for saturated fats
  6. Reduce the saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol content of your diet
  7. Maintain a healthy weight

  To determine how high your triglyceride levels are at present, get a triglyceride level test at a local clinic or your physician's office. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, patients should not eat or drink eight to 12 hours prior to having blood samples drawn and avoid alcohol or drug intake as they may affect test results.