We all want to get Type 2 Diabetes, right? Because it’s a condition that affects the whole body, progresses slowly, and can lead to vision loss, numbness in the limbs, kidney disease, and even heart disease. High levels of triglycerides, a type of fat in your blood, can be a sign that you may have prediabetes or Type 2 Diabetes. But the best part is, you can reduce both of these risks by making a small effort to control your weight and increase your exercise.
What is the relationship between triglycerides and diabetes?
The first thing to understand is that high triglycerides in the blood do not cause diabetes . However, it does tell us something important. That is, our body's process of converting the food we eat into energy is not working properly.
Simply put, this is how it works. Normally, our body produces a hormone called insulin. The job of this insulin is to take the sugar, or glucose, in our blood into the body's cells. It's like opening a door with a key. Once inside the cells, the body converts that glucose into energy. Insulin also helps triglycerides to be used for energy.
However, the main reason why triglyceride levels in your blood increase is due to the excessive addition of carbohydrates, that is, starches and sugars, to your diet. When triglycerides increase in this way, it gives us a clue about a condition called Insulin Resistance .
First warning: Insulin resistance
What is Insulin Resistance? Think of it this way: insulin is the "key" that opens the door to your cells. Glucose is the "key" that needs to get in. Insulin resistance is a condition where the "door" (cell membrane) of your cells is rusty, preventing the key from working properly. Insulin is then unable to let glucose into your cells.
So, the body thinks, "Okay, the key doesn't work, I need to make more keys." So, the body starts producing more insulin. This causes the insulin level in the blood to rise, and the glucose that can't get into the cells to accumulate in the blood, causing the blood sugar level to rise above normal.
If you also have this insulin resistance, you are one step closer to Type 2 Diabetes.
If you are overweight, regularly eat foods high in sugar and starch (e.g. rice, bread, biscuits, cakes), and do not exercise, this insulin resistance condition can become even worse.
But don't worry. By following the diet and exercise plan your doctor recommends, and taking the prescribed medications, you can reverse this trend.
Second stage: Prediabetes
Your doctor can check your blood sugar, or glucose, level. This is usually done by taking a blood sample after you have fasted for 6-8 hours. This can also be checked with a special blood test called the A1c . The A1c test shows your average blood sugar level over the past 3 months.
In these tests, if your blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be called diabetes, we call that condition prediabetes . At this point, if you don't change your lifestyle, your risk of developing full-blown diabetes is very high. A person with prediabetes may also often have high levels of triglycerides in their blood.
But remember, it's not too late! This is your best chance yet. You can still reverse this journey and bring your blood sugar, triglyceride, and cholesterol levels back to healthy levels.
If you follow your doctor's advice by changing your diet, exercising, and taking the prescribed medications, your blood sugar levels will return to normal. However, if you do not take this path and do not treat prediabetes, it can develop into diabetes.
| Opportunity | Meaning | What to do? |
|---|---|---|
| Insulin Resistance | The body's cells do not respond properly to insulin. Elevated triglycerides in the blood can be a sign of this. | Reduce sugar and starchy foods, exercise daily, and control weight. |
| Prediabetes | Blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be called diabetes. | Lifestyle changes should be made immediately. Diet, exercise, and possibly medication should be started as directed by a doctor. |
| Type 2 Diabetes | Blood sugar levels rise to a level considered a medical condition. | Discussing and following a treatment plan with your doctor. Both medication and lifestyle changes are essential. |
Even if you develop diabetes, it's still not too late!
If your blood sugar levels rise to the point where they are called diabetes, and if left untreated, over time, these high sugar levels damage your nerves and blood vessels. This causes poor blood circulation. This damage can affect your eyesight, kidneys, and even brain cells. In addition to all this, diabetes greatly increases your risk of developing heart disease. It can lead to conditions like a heart attack or stroke.
Therefore, be sure to talk to your doctor about a treatment plan to lower your blood sugar levels. As your sugar levels are controlled, your elevated triglyceride levels will also decrease. This treatment plan may include both medication and lifestyle changes (diet and exercise).
These things may seem difficult to do, but they are worth it. Because your efforts can help you avoid serious complications from diabetes, such as blindness, bladder problems, and sexual problems.
Take-Home Message
- Elevated triglycerides in the blood are not a cause of diabetes, but they are a strong warning sign that diabetes may develop.
- Elevated triglycerides indicate that your body has insulin resistance, a condition in which insulin does not work properly.
- Controlling high-starch foods such as sugar, bread, and rice, exercising daily, and losing weight can help control both triglycerides and the risk of diabetes.
- If you are diagnosed with prediabetes, this is your best chance to reverse it. Follow your doctor's advice immediately.
- Even if you have been diagnosed with diabetes, it's not too late to avoid serious side effects and live a healthy life with proper treatment and lifestyle changes. Stay in touch with your doctor regularly.
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