What are tryglycerides?
Put simply, triglycerides are a type of lipids (fats) that are circulated in the blood. When in excess, they are stored in the body fat cells as fat. Triglycerides molecules are made up of three fatty acids and one glycerol molecule, and can be viewed the same way as cholesterol is – both are fats carried in the blood, but differ in function.
Where do they come from? Triglycerides are made in the body from excess calories. Usually, food is broken down into either glucose for energy or amino acids needed for the repair of cells. Excess calories – from carbohydrates and fats – are converted to triglycerides and packaged into lipoproteins by the liver, then carried around by blood plasma.
Their main function is to fuel body cells with energy needed for metabolic activity, and when not needed, they are stored in fats cells. This explains why having a high carbohydrate diet leads to weight-gain. Your body makes triglycerides from both fats and carbohydrates, so having low fat diet with high carbohydrate content will still lead to formation of fat.
Other than these dietary sources, the liver also manufactures them when found to insufficient in the bloodstream. When broken down, they are capable of releasing twice as much energy as carbohydrates and proteins.
Triglycerides vs. Cholesterol
While the relation between high LDL cholesterol levels and heart disease is clear, the same cannot be said of high triglyceride levels; but studies show that they do increase the risk of heart disease. The other type of cholesterol, HDL (High Density Lipoprotein), is referred to as ‘good’ cholesterol. Having high levels of this can promote heart health, contrary to having high triglyceride levels.
Good cholesterol not only promotes the health of your heart, but also takes part in cell formation as well as the manufacture of certain hormones. On the other hand, triglycerides supply the body with energy. These two are thus separate lipids in the bloodstream with separate functions.
Testing for Triglycerides and Cholesterol
Part of the test for cholesterol levels in the blood involves testing for triglyceride levels. Having this in high amounts can be an indication of high LDL cholesterol which presents a high risk of cardiovascular disease. For an accurate triglyceride measure, you’ll be required to fast for at least 9-12 hours before the test. Testing for these levels is recommended for adults above the age of 20 after every 5-year period.
Excessive Triglycerides and Treatment
Having excess levels of triglycerides has also been found to be a cause for pancreatitis and obesity. Pancreatitis is a condition that causes pain in the stomach and is not easy to treat. The best way to avoid this is lowering your triglyceride levels. Normal levels, as stipulated by the American Heart Association, are about 150mg/dl (milligrams per deciliter). The AHA recommends 100mg/dl as the optimal level that promotes heart health.
Treatment for too much triglyceride fat can be done through drug therapy. However, to keep your levels normal in a natural way, a healthy diet and regular physical activity is recommended. Lowering carbohydrate intake and quitting smoking also help to reduce the levels of triglycerides.
