Have you ever seen the word 'Triglycerides' when you look at a blood test report? Your doctor may have told you, "Your triglycerides are a little high, let's do something about it." This is actually a very common condition. But the scary thing is, most of the time, our bodies don't feel any symptoms even when our triglyceride levels are high. That's why we call it the "silent enemy." But this silent enemy can do a lot of damage to your body. High triglyceride levels can increase your risk of having a heart attack or stroke by about four times. The best part is, it can be detected with a simple blood test and controlled by making lifestyle changes. So, if you already know that your triglycerides are high, the decisions you make now could save your life.
Simply put, what are triglycerides?
Triglycerides are a type of fat found in our blood. To be precise, the extra energy (calories) we get from the food we eat is stored in our body as triglycerides in fat cells. Later, when we need energy, hormones release these triglycerides.
The problem starts when we eat more food than our body needs, especially foods high in sugar and carbohydrates. The body then converts this excess energy into triglycerides and releases them into the blood. This is when triglyceride levels in the blood rise.
What is the relationship between triglycerides and diabetes?
High triglyceride levels may be a sign that your body is becoming resistant to insulin (insulin resistance). Think of insulin as a key that opens the door to let sugar (glucose) into our body's cells. When you have insulin resistance, this key can't open the door properly.
What happens then? Because the cells can't get the sugar in, all that sugar builds up in the blood. This causes the blood sugar level to rise. This is what we call pre-diabetes and then type 2 diabetes .
Diabetes is not just about high blood sugar. It increases the risk of heart attack and other heart diseases, in addition to the risks posed by triglycerides.
Diabetes can be a serious health threat if left untreated. Your doctor will test you for diabetes and, if you have it, help you manage both the condition and your triglyceride levels.
How triglycerides affect your liver
High triglyceride levels can be a sign that you have fatty liver disease.
Our unhealthy eating habits can increase blood fats (triglycerides) and lead to fat deposits in other parts of the body, especially the liver. If your blood test results show elevated liver function tests (such as `ALT` and `AST`), it could be a sign of fatty liver. It usually has no symptoms. However, if left untreated, it can lead to permanent liver damage and even serious conditions like cirrhosis .
Triglycerides and the Pancreas
If your triglyceride levels are "very high" above 500 mg/dL, you are at increased risk of developing inflammation of the pancreas.
Doctors call this condition pancreatitis . It can cause permanent damage to the tissues of the pancreas. The main symptom is severe, unbearable abdominal pain . If you experience this type of pain, it is an emergency and you should go to a hospital's emergency room (ETU) immediately.
| Affected body part | Possible medical condition | Things to pay attention to |
|---|---|---|
| Heart and blood vessels | Heart attack, stroke | The risk increases by about four times. The damage can occur without symptoms. |
| Body sugar control | Insulin resistance, diabetes (`Type 2 Diabetes`) | Diabetes further increases the risk of heart disease. |
| Liver | Fatty Liver, Cirrhosis | There are no symptoms in the early stages. Permanent liver damage can occur. |
| Pancreas | Pancreatitis | The risk is higher if triglyceride levels are very high (500+). Severe abdominal pain is an emergency. |
How to control high triglyceride levels?
All of this may sound scary to you. But the good news is, this is something we can control. When your doctor prescribes treatment for this, there are two main parts to that treatment. They are a healthy diet and exercise .
- Avoid sugar and processed foods: This is the most important thing. Reduce your intake of simple carbohydrates and sugary foods like sugary drinks, cakes, biscuits, white bread, white rice, etc. This dietary change alone can have a dramatic impact on your triglyceride levels.
- Choose healthy fats: Include healthy fats in your diet, such as olive oil, avocados, and nuts.
- Exercise: Engage in exercise such as walking, running, or cycling for at least 30 minutes every day.
- Control your weight: Losing excess weight can help reduce triglyceride levels.
- Follow your doctor's advice: In some cases, your doctor may prescribe you nutritional supplements, such as omega 3 fatty acids , or other medications.
Start today. Talk to your doctor about exactly what you need to do to lower your triglyceride levels, prevent a heart attack or stroke, prevent or control diabetes, and protect against liver and pancreatic disease. He or she will give you the best plan that's right for you.
Take-Home Message
- High triglyceride levels are a "silent health risk" that occurs without any symptoms.
- This condition can be easily diagnosed with a simple blood test .
- This leads to many serious diseases such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, fatty liver disease, and pancreatitis.
- This can be successfully controlled through lifestyle changes , especially diet and exercise.
- If you have any concerns about your triglyceride levels or how to control them, it is essential to talk to your doctor .
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