What is Triglyceride? Causes and Symptoms of High Triglycerides

Triglycerides are the most common form of fatty substances found in the body. If fat-like substances stored to meet energy needs between meals reach high levels in the blood circulation, care should be taken in this regard, as they may be prone to various health problems. All food items and extra calories that are not directly used in energy production in the body are converted into triglycerides and stored in fat cells. If energy is not needed, triglycerides are released by activation of various hormones. Therefore, people with a high-carbohydrate diet may also have high triglyceride levels. You can follow the rest of the article for other topics you are curious about, such as what is triglyceride, what are the causes of high triglyceride, symptoms of triglyceride and how to lower triglyceride.

What is Triglyceride?

Triglycerides are fat (lipid) substances and constitute the highest amount of fats taken through nutrition. These fatty substances are extremely important in meeting the amount of energy required for the body’s daily needs. Triglycerides produced beyond energy consumption are generally stored in the body as fat. Triglycerides, which are fat-like substances, can be produced by the liver or absorbed into the body by the small intestines after consumption of foods containing fat. However, these substances are not allowed to circulate freely in the bloodstream. Triglycerides are attached to carrier proteins, which are classified as lipoproteins and called very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) or chylomicrons. Low carrier protein density is associated with the increase of substances in this structure and increased susceptibility to various cardiovascular diseases.

What is Triglyceride Test?

Triglyceride test is a type of examination that allows the level of this substance to be detected in the blood circulation. The values ​​obtained as a result of this test are guiding in determining the person’s susceptibility to cardiovascular diseases. In order to perform a triglyceride test, some blood is taken from the patient and sent to the laboratory for analysis. The patient’s triglyceride level can be determined as a result of the measurement performed by a device with various biochemical analysis methods.

How Many Triglycerides Should Be?

The value ranges determined for the triglyceride level can be summarized as follows:

• The normal value range for triglycerides when evaluated during fasting is 150 milligrams per deciliter and below.
• A borderline elevation expression can be used between 150-199 mg/dL.
• While values ​​between 200 and 499 mg/dL are considered high, a value above 500 is considered a very high triglyceride value.

Hypertriglyceridemia is defined as an increase in triglyceride levels in the bloodstream that exceeds normal. Levels detected during fasting may vary from day to day. At the same time, care should be taken to be hungry before the test; It should be taken into consideration that in measurements made during satiety, values ​​​​5-10 times higher than fasting values ​​can be detected.

What is High Triglyceride?

High triglyceride levels, called hypertriglyceridemia, indicate an increase in the level of this substance in the blood circulation.

Why Does Triglyceride Increase?

Nutrition and lifestyle habits are concepts closely related to triglyceride levels. If individuals with a healthy and balanced nutrition program develop correct lifestyle habits such as regular exercise, triglyceride levels generally remain within normal limits. A high glycemic index diet may cause an increase in triglyceride levels. Despite this effect of carbohydrates, it is not yet fully understood how the amount of triglyceride, which is actually a fat-like substance, changes with fat consumption. The known fact on this subject is that eating foods high in saturated or trans fats may cause an increase in other harmful cholesterol levels, although not in triglyceride levels. Tobacco use has a complex effect on triglyceride levels. Quitting tobacco use in individuals with this harmful habit not only facilitates the control of the level of this substance, but also contributes to reducing the risk of developing various diseases, especially heart and lung diseases. Physical activity can be effective in reducing triglyceride values. However, people who have adopted a sedentary lifestyle cannot benefit from this benefit of physical activity, and with wrong lifestyle habits, triglyceride levels are generally found to be high in these individuals. Fluctuations in triglyceride levels can occur due to many factors. These changes, which usually occur temporarily, can also have a chronic course if wrong lifestyle habits are continued for a long time. In addition to lifestyle factors, there are various situations in which triglyceride levels may be detected to be higher than normal. Some of these can be listed as follows:

• Obesity
• Pregnancy
• metabolic syndrome
• Diabetes
• hypothyroidism
• kidney disorders
• Diseases caused by inflammation, such as rheumatoid arthritis

What are the symptoms of high triglyceride levels?

High triglyceride levels are not a condition that causes specific symptoms. Complaints that occur generally occur after organ damage develops following prolonged high levels of fatty substances.

How to Lower Triglycerides?

If more calories are consumed than the body needs, this extra energy is stored in fat cells in the form of triglycerides. Therefore, especially in overweight people, limiting calorie consumption within the knowledge and advice of physicians may be a beneficial approach in controlling triglyceride levels. Various studies indicate that a 5-10% loss in body weight can provide a very significant decrease in triglyceride levels. Therefore, it is important to maintain weight control in order to keep triglyceride levels under control.

Consuming products with added sugar is a habit that many individuals repeat frequently in their daily lives. Added sugar, which is found in high amounts especially in fruit juices, junk food and carbonated drinks, is converted into triglycerides and stored when taken into the body. Various studies have shown that excessive consumption of sugar-added products can cause high triglyceride levels, even in young children. For this reason, it is recommended to stay away from such products with added refined sugar. As with products containing added sugar, carbohydrates consumed in excess of the body’s needs are stored in the body in the form of triglycerides. Therefore, as long as there is no health requirement that prevents people from doing this practice, within the knowledge and recommendation of physicians, a low-carbohydrate diet can contribute to the reduction of triglyceride levels. In addition to nutrition, studies have shown that aerobic exercises that enable weight loss can also reduce triglyceride levels. In general, the minimum exercise level recommended for cardiovascular health is 30-45 minutes at least 5 days a week. Artificially produced trans fats are substances in the form of fat produced by processing various foods to extend their shelf life. Trans fat, which is generally found in fried foods and ready-made pastries, can also be found in small amounts in some animal-derived foods. While excessive consumption of trans fat, which is known to increase susceptibility to inflammation, may result in an increase in triglyceride levels, various studies indicate that consuming oils rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids instead of saturated trans fats may reduce triglyceride levels.

Various international health organizations say that a maximum of 6% of daily calorie consumption can come from saturated fats. Although high triglycerides do not cause specific symptoms, they can have a dangerous course. If you think you have risk factors for high triglyceride levels, it is recommended that you contact healthcare institutions and get support from specialist physicians.