High levels of triglycerides, also known as hypertriglyceridemia, increase the risk of heart disease and the chance of developing type 2 diabetes, which can be a sign of metabolic syndrome. More than one-third of adults in the United States have high triglycerides. So let's learn more about triglycerides, the reasons for their elevated levels, the dangers associated with very high triglycerides, and ways to lower them naturally.
What are triglycerides?
Triglycerides are a type of fat found in our blood. These fats are formed from calories that are not immediately consumed and are stored in fat cells for future use in between meals.
When our body needs fuel for physical activity between meals, our body burns triglycerides for energy.
What is the normal level of triglycerides?
If we regularly consume more calories than we burn, our bodies will store higher levels of triglycerides in our fat cells than usual. You can check your triglyceride levels with a simple blood test.
Often, the same blood test that checks cholesterol levels also checks triglyceride levels. According to the National Cholesterol Education Program, the guidelines for triglyceride levels are
- Normal: less than 150 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
- High Critical: 150 to 199 mg/dL
- High: 200 to 499 mg/dL
- Very high: 500 mg/dL or more
Causes of high triglycerides
High triglyceride levels can have many causes, such as uncontrolled diabetes, an unhealthy lifestyle, or genetics.
1. Obesity
Although not all obese people have high triglycerides, obesity is usually directly associated with high plasma triglycerides. According to studies, obese women have significantly higher levels of plasma VLDL, a lipoprotein containing a major triglyceride component.
In obese populations with high triglycerides, VLDL secretion is increased and clearance is impaired. This increased secretion is due to an increase in fat in the liver, while impaired clearance is due to an increase in plasma levels of Apo C-III.
Apolipoprotein C-III is a component and inhibitor of VLDL or lipoprotein lipase. Lipoprotein lipase helps break down fats in the form of triglycerides.
When triglycerides are broken down, they are used for energy. This is the reason why triglyceride levels are elevated in obese individuals.
2. Hypothyroidism
The calories stored in triglycerides are not used immediately after consumption.
Later hormones help to release these triglycerides for use as energy.
Hypothyroidism slows down the production of hormones and the rate at which our bodies use calories as fuel. So the triglycerides stay in the fat cells.
Hypothyroidism also increases DLD levels by increasing the liver's absorption of cholesterol, which prevents it from eliminating excess cholesterol.
3. Poorly controlled diabetes
Poorly controlled diabetes leads to increased levels of glucose and insulin in the body. Insulin plays a role in converting glucose to glycogen and helps store glycogen in the liver.
When the liver is saturated with glycogen, glucose is used to produce fatty acids, which are released into the bloodstream. The fatty acids are used to produce triglycerides, which can lead to body fat.
Almost 90% of people with diabetes develop metabolic syndrome, which further increases the chances of developing high triglycerides.
4. Kidney disease
Kidney disease can raise LDL levels and triglyceride levels and lower HDL levels in the body. Reduced renal function impairs triglyceride clearance.
Although the kidneys cannot remove triglycerides, they are broken down by liver enzymes.
Inhibitors of these liver enzymes pass through the kidneys and are cleared due to their accumulation; these enzymes cannot break down triglycerides, which then begin to accumulate.
Elevated triglyceride and LDL levels and lower HDL levels increase the risk of heart disease.
5. Excessive alcohol consumption
According to the American Heart Association, very small amounts of alcohol can also cause triglycerides to rise. Excessive alcohol consumption not only increases triglycerides, but also leads to increased blood pressure and cardiovascular disease.
When you drink alcohol, it is rapidly absorbed and taken to the liver for metabolism. The liver cannot metabolize it fast enough, which can lead to fatty acid accumulation and raise triglyceride levels.
6. High-calorie diet
A high-calorie diet and a sedentary lifestyle can lead to calories being stored. Our body converts the excess calories into triglycerides. Foods high in saturated fat are also a rich source of triglycerides and bad cholesterol.
7. Genes
Some people have elevated triglyceride levels due to a genetic susceptibility. This condition is known as familial hypertriglyceridemia. This genetic condition occurs in 1 out of every 500 people in the United States.
8. Medications
Certain medications are known to increase triglyceride levels -
- Antipsychotic drugs such as clozapine and olanzapine, used to treat bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, can raise triglyceride levels.
- Diuretics such as hydrochlorothiazide, commonly used to treat hypertension, can increase triglyceride levels.
- Tamoxifen, which is used to reduce a woman's risk of breast cancer, can also increase triglyceride levels.
- Birth control pills contain estrogen, which can raise triglyceride levels.
- Corticosteroids used to treat asthma, autoimmune diseases and arthritis can cause high triglycerides.
Dangers of high triglyceride levels
High triglyceride levels can increase the risk of stroke, heart disease and metabolic syndrome. Some typical risks associated with high levels of triglycerides include
1. Pancreatitis
The pancreas is an important organ that produces the digestive juices needed for food absorption. High triglycerides can cause swelling of the pancreas, which can lead to severe abdominal pain, vomiting and fever.
Based on a case study of a 37-year-old woman suffering from severe abdominal pain, it was observed that hypertriglyceridemia, if significantly elevated, can lead to pancreatitis. Treatment includes weight loss, dietary changes and avoidance of alcohol.
2. Metabolic syndrom
Elevated triglyceride levels are often associated with insulin resistance and are an important marker of the metabolic syndrome.
Metabolic syndrome is associated with many health problems, such as high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high triglyceride levels, low HDL levels and abdominal fat. It increases the risk of heart attack, diabetes and stroke.
3. Increased risk of type 2 diabetes
If your triglycerides are high, you have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes affects the entire body and can also lead to loss of vision and feeling in your hands and feet.
However, you can reduce your chances of developing diabetes by making some simple changes to your diet and lifestyle.
4. Higher risk of heart attack
Not all triglycerides are stored in the body's adipose tissue. Some of them travel through the bloodstream as VLDL (very low density lipoproteins). These VLDLs thicken the blood and increase the chances of arterial blockage.
A heart attack occurs when large deposits of fat accumulate in the blood vessels that carry oxygen to the heart muscle. In fact, very high levels of triglycerides increase the risk of heart attack fourfold.
5. Increased Risk of Stroke
High triglyceride levels are associated with atherosclerosis, a condition in which substances, such as cholesterol, form plaques in the walls of the arteries.
If the plaque ruptures, its fragments or blood clots can block the arterial blood supply to the brain and can lead to a stroke.
According to a University of California study, there is a strong link between high triglyceride levels and stroke development.
6. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
When more than 10% of the liver is replaced by fat, the condition is called nonalcoholic fatty liver. This can lead to liver scarring, cancer, and even liver failure. Diabetes, obesity and high triglycerides are the most common causes of NAFLD.
Liver function tests such as ALT and AST can indicate whether a person has a fatty liver. This condition can lead to permanent liver damage and cirrhosis. 7.
7. Peripheral arterial disease (PAD)
If your triglyceride level is over 200, you are at increased risk of developing peripheral artery disease. Excess triglycerides in the blood can lead to deposits on the walls of the arteries in your legs.
This can lead to painful claudication and numbness in the legs. PAD also increases the risk of leg and foot infections.
8. Dementia
High triglycerides can lead to dementia, especially in the elderly. Dementia leads to a progressive loss of brain functions that affect memory, thinking, speech and behavior.
Studies have shown that high triglyceride levels can damage blood vessels in the brain, which can lead to dementia.
9. Xanthomas
Yellow tumors are a condition in which fatty deposits form under the skin.
Sometimes they are small in size; in other cases, they can be almost 3 inches in diameter.
These orange or yellow deposits can usually be seen on the elbows, knees, hands, ankles, back, and buttocks. When they form on the eyelids, they are called xanthomas. They are mainly seen in patients with familial triglycerides.
10. Eye complications
Very high levels of triglycerides can lead to a condition called retinal lipemia. In this condition, the retinal blood vessels develop a pale, milky appearance. This is due to the infiltration of lipids in the retina.
When a 55-year-old patient with macular degeneration was studied, they found that the patient had high serum cholesterol levels and very high triglyceride levels (1513 mg/dl). For such patients, lipid-lowering therapy is essential.
Natural ways to lower triglycerides
Triglyceride levels can be lowered by some simple dietary and lifestyle changes.
1. Lose weight
If you are overweight, losing 10% of your body weight will help raise your triglyceride levels.
2. Reduce your sugar intake
According to the American Heart Association, only 5% of your daily calories should come from sugar. So lower your sugar intake and processed foods and sodas, which have sugar hidden in them.
3. Have more fiber
Eat more fiber-rich foods, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains, to lower triglycerides in your blood.
4. Reduce fructose intake
Consuming too much fructose can lead to higher triglycerides. Avoid foods that contain high fructose corn syrup. Dried fruits such as raisins and dates also contain more fructose.
5. Eat healthy fats
Replace trans fats with healthy polyunsaturated fats and monounsaturated fats. Add omega-3 fatty acids to your diet.
6. Reduce alcohol intake
Even small amounts of alcohol can increase triglyceride levels. The AHA recommends that people with high triglycerides should avoid alcohol altogether.
7. Exercise
If your triglycerides are high, you must exercise for about 30 minutes 5 days a week. This will help lower your triglyceride levels.
Takeaway
The causes of high triglyceride levels can range from genetics to hyperthyroidism. This condition, which affects one third of adults in the United States, increases the risk of heart disease, stroke and metabolic syndrome. However, a few simple lifestyle and dietary changes can help lower triglyceride levels naturally.
References：
See also:
2. 9 Best At-Home Kidney Tests Buyers Guide In 2022
3. What Is Blood Test For Iron Called?
4. 2022 Best Home Hemoglobin Meter Buyers Guide
5. Cholesterol test at home: Everything You Want to Know 2022 Version