What Is Triglycerides?

Triglycerides are one type of fat carried in the bloodstream and are also substances stored in the tissues as a result of the conversion of most types of fat in the body. Triglycerides present in human blood not only come from food and beverages consumed, but also from the production of the body itself as a source of energy. Triglycerides are the result of unused and stored calorie conversion to provide energy reserves for the body. This causes a person who frequently consume more calories than the amount required by his body, will be at risk of having high triglyceride levels.

The higher the triglyceride level, then our risk for heart disease and metabolic syndrome are also associated with stroke. Levels of triglycerides in the body can be known through blood tests. The following are the parameters of triglyceride levels that can be used as a health reference.


Symptoms of Triglycerides
There are no definite symptoms that arise due to high levels of triglycerides in the body. But in rare cases, patients with this condition experienced pancreatitis characterized by severe pain symptoms that suddenly felt in the abdomen, fever, nausea, vomiting, and decreased appetite. In the case of high triglycerides caused by a hereditary disease, the symptoms of fat accumulation beneath the skin layer (xanthoma) can also occur.


Causes of Triglycerides
Obesity and diabetes are not well controlled is the most common cause of all cases of high triglycerides. Therefore please be wary if you include people who are overweight or people who are lazy to do physical activity, especially if you like to eat foods that contain high sugar or carbohydrates, or like to consume liquor.

In addition to the above factors, high triglycerides can also be caused by:

• Hypothyroid Disease.
• Kidney illness.
• Fat metabolism disorders are hereditary.
• Side effects of estrogen hormone replacement therapy in the treatment of menopause .
• Side effects of a number of drugs, such as beta blockers, steroids, tamoxifen, birth control pills, and diuretics.

Are You Know?
What Is Aplastic Anemia?
What Is Hemolytic Anemia?
What Is Brain Aneurysm?


Triglycerides Treatment
High levels of triglycerides can be lowered through the application of a healthy diet and lifestyle. Examples that fall into this simple solution include:

• Controlling weight. If the weight exceeds the ideal weight or even already obese, losing weight of about 2-5 pounds can lower levels of triglycerides in the body.
• Eating healthy fats. Replace saturated fats on meat with unsaturated fats from plants, eg in olive oil, peanut oil and from canola oil. In addition, replace red meat with the consumption of marine fish, such as salmon.
• Reduce caloric intake. You need to remember that excessive calories will be converted to triglycerides and stored as fat. Indirectly, lowering calorie intake also means lowering triglyceride levels.
• Limit consumption of sugar and processed foods. Sugar and food made from flour is a type of carbohydrate that can increase triglyceride levels.
• Limit alcohol consumption. High calorie content in liquor can result in increased triglycerides. In some people, triglyceride levels can increase even if they consume only a little liquor.
• Exercising. Regular exercise activity can help a person control the overall health of the body. Run sport at least 3.5 hours per week.
• Do not smoke. Chemical substances in a cigarette called acrolein will stop good cholesterol from channeling cholesterol from the pile of fat in the body to the liver.

If changing lifestyle and daily diet is not enough to lower triglyceride levels, then the doctor will usually give you medicine. Some types of drugs that can help lower triglyceride levels are:

• Fibrat . This drug works to lower triglycerides and increase cholesterol â € œbaikâ € or HDL. In addition, bad cholesterol levels can also decrease.
• Niacin or nicotinic acid . Nicotinic acid can reduce the production of triglycerides and bad cholesterol. Eventually leads to an increase in 'good cholesterol' and lower triglycerides.
• Statins. This drug will inhibit the enzymes that the body needs to produce cholesterol. As a result, levels of 'bad cholesterol' and triglycerides will decrease. Doctors will usually prescribe this medicine if the bad cholesterol levels, good cholesterol, triglycerides a person above the normal value.
• Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil). Fish oil supplements can lower triglyceride levels in the body. But it takes a dose of omega-3 fatty acids are sufficient to reduce triglyceride levels, so the supplement is only recommended for someone with triglyceride levels above 500 mg / dl.

Share this post