Triglycerides

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Triglyceride Level

Triglycerides are a form of fat the body can use for energy. Triglycerides are type of fat that is carried in the blood by very low-density lipoproteins. Only a small amount of triglycerides is normally found in the blood; most are stored in fat tissue.

A high triglyceride level along with a high LDL cholesterol also can increase the risk of heart attack. Triglycerides can build up in artery walls and may cause atherosclerosis. Triglyceride levels are measured in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) of blood.


Triglyceride (mg/dL) Levels

150 to 199	borderline high

200 or above	high

500 or higher	very high

Elevated triglyceride levels may increase your risk of developing coronary artery disease (CAD). The cholesterol and triglyceride level can be checked with a blood test.

Losing weight is especially important if you have high triglyceride levels and low HDL levels and are overweight with a large waist measurement (metabolic syndrome). This means more than a 40 in. (101.6 cm) waist for men and more than 35 in. (88.9 cm) for women.

Exercising and losing weight, if you are overweight, may be crucial. This can increase your "good" HDL cholesterol and lower your "bad" LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. Losing weight can also help lower high blood pressure and help prevent diabetes and osteoarthritis. Most health experts recommend that you exercise for a minimum of 30 to 45 minutes most days of the week.

Ways to Lower Triglyceride Levels

• Extra carbs in your diet are converted into triglycerides and stored in fat cells. Following a low-carb diet can lead to a significant reduction in blood triglyceride levels.

• If you have high triglyceride levels, your doctor probably already advised you to take omega-3 fatty acids in supplement (fish oil) form. Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to effectively reduce triglyceride levels.

• There are several dietary supplements effective in lowering triglycerides, and LDL levels. Here is the list of the natural supplements which have been studied and proven to work.