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Just when you start feeling comfortable about cholesterol--what it is,
where it comes from, the difference between high density lipoproteins (HDL), the good
stuff, and low density lipoproteins (LDL), the not-so-good stuff, you start hearing about these
things called triglycerides.
Actually, triglycerides have been reported on blood tests for years.
Doctors used to place
just as much emphasis on them as they did cholesterol when assessing a
person's risk for
heart disease. However, when we learned enough about cholesterol to consider
it an
independent risk factor for heart disease at levels above 240 milligrams per
deciliter (mg/dl),
most eyes focused on cholesterol.
High triglyceride levels also are a factor in heart disease risk, but
how and at what levels
remains less clear. Research findings have been mixed. The Framingham Heart
Study found a
significant increase in coronary artery disease in women with high
triglycerides independent
of other lipid abnormalities. However, other studies have found an elevated
risk only when
high triglycerides occur with decreased HDL levels.
Just what are triglycerides? The term is simply a fancy name for fat,
or
what scientists
call lipids. More than 90 percent of the fat in the food we eat and in the
fat folds on our
bodies is made up of triglycerides. The other two main classes of fats are
phospholipids, such
as lecithin, and sterols, such as cholesterol.
Like cholesterol, triglycerides are a necessary component of our body
chemistry.
Triglycerides circulate constantly in the blood, ferrying fat-soluble
vitamins A, D, E and K to
locations where they're needed, aiding in the synthesis of certain hormones
and protecting cell
membranes. Unlike cholesterol, triglyceride particles are large and do not
enter the blood
vessels and contribute to arterial blockages in the same way cholesterol
does. Still, high
triglyceride levels do indicate a defect in the system and may be an early
warning of heart
trouble.
The lab test to measure blood triglyceride levels is easy and usually
can be done along
with a routine cholesterol screen. Traditionally, levels between 200 to 400
mg/dl have been
considered borderline; levels above 400 were considered high. Some
specialists now believe
levels above 150 mg/dl are a red flag. Triglyceride levels vary tremendously
from day to day
and in response to meals. Tests should be run on fasting patients, and at
least two separate
tests may be required to get an accurate reading.
So, what should you do if your triglyceride levels are high? Doctors
should always help
with the interpretation of blood tests. In general, though, the
recommendations for reducing
high triglyceride levels are much the same as for reducing heart disease
risk. Achieve and
maintain a healthy body weight, incorporate regular exercise into your daily
routine and eat a
low-fat diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, limit
refined
carbohydrates like
sugar and high-fructose corn syrup and consider restricting alcohol
consumption, which can
stimulate triglyceride production in some people.
For more information, contact your local
Colorado State University Extension office.
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