Have you recently found out your triglycerides are high? You might be wondering what triglycerides even are, or perhaps you’ve heard they’re worse for you than high cholesterol. Well, today we’re going to clear all that up and give you seven tips to get those numbers down, without needing medication in most cases. Stick around, because by your next blood test, you could see a big difference! (This article draws upon the insights of Dr. André Wambier.)
What Exactly Are Triglycerides?
Triglycerides, or triglycerids as they’re sometimes called, are a type of fat found in your blood. In fact, they’re the most common type of fat in your body. When you eat, your body turns any calories it doesn’t need right away into triglycerides. These are then stored in your fat cells. Later, when your body needs energy, hormones release these stored triglycerides. The problem starts when there’s an imbalance – you eat too much, especially foods high in refined carbohydrates, fried items, and unhealthy fats, and you don’t burn enough calories through activity. This leads to high triglyceride levels.
Key Takeaways:
- Triglycerides are a type of fat in your blood, the most common type in your body.
- High levels are often caused by eating more calories than you burn, particularly from refined carbs and unhealthy fats.
- Normal levels are below 150 milligrams per deciliter.
- High triglycerides increase the risk of atherosclerosis, heart attack, and stroke.
- Extremely high levels can cause acute pancreatitis.
Triglyceride Levels and What They Mean
What are considered normal triglyceride levels? Ideally, they should be below 150 milligrams per deciliter. If your levels are above that, you might be heading for trouble.
Now, you might ask if triglycerides are different from cholesterol. Yes, they are! While both are fats in your blood, triglycerides are more directly linked to your calorie intake and diet, especially high-calorie diets with lots of refined carbohydrates.