Dangers of Triglycerides

If you have or are trying to prevent heart disease you have probably heard about triglycerides. You know they are something you are supposed to keep to a low amount in your diet. But what exactly are triglycerides and why are they bad for your health?

Identification

• Triglycerides are a form of fat that is found in foods. This is also the form of fat that is stored in the body and found in blood plasma. Since triglycerides are being stored in the body, then they can begin to build to dangerous levels. Since they are found in the blood, too high of a level can lead to coronary artery disease.

Considerations

• When you eat, whatever calories the body does not use for energy, gets turned into triglycerides and stored in your fat cells. This applies not to just the fats you eat, but the carbohydrates and proteins as well. Your body will burn some of the stored triglycerides between meals for energy. However, any excess calories you consume from any type of food will increase your triglyceride level.

Dangerous Levels

• Your level of triglycerides can be detected through a blood test that is done after an overnight food and alcohol fast. Triglyceride levels of 150 to 199 mg/dL are considered borderline high. A high level is 200 to 400 mg/dL. If your levels are 500 mg/dL or greater, you are in a very high level category.

Triglycerides and Heart Disease

• Since triglycerides travel in the blood, too high of a level can cause a hardening and thickening of your artery walls and contribute to atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis increases your risk of high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke.

Other Health Problems

• Having a high level of triglycerides can also signal other health problems such as type 2 diabetes, thyroid problems, kidney disease, or liver disease

Prevention/Solution

• Losing weight, cutting back on cholesterol, eliminating trans fats and avoiding sugary or refined foods will help you to bring your triglyceride levels down and lower your risk for disease.