Triglycerides: what they are and how they affect our health
Among the different substances that constantly travel through our blood are lipids, molecules with very important functions for living organisms. The most common type of these molecules are triglycerides .
At appropriate levels, the latter can keep our bodies in balance, but if not, triglycerides can generate serious health risks. This is why they are one of the most medically controlled molecules.
In this article we will see what triglycerides are, what their function and risks are for the body and how we can keep their levels in balance.
What are triglycerides and what do they do?
Triglycerides are the most common type of lipid in our bloodstream. As such, they are sets of molecules composed mainly of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen . They are also water-insoluble molecules that are found in different living beings, fulfilling different functions according to the specific type of lipid involved.
For example, lipids such as steroid hormones can serve to regulate the functioning of specific cells. Another type of lipid, known as structural lipids, can serve to shape cell membranes. Likewise, the type of lipids we know as triglycerides can serve to generate the energy reserves necessary for our daily activity.
For the absorption, transport and metabolism of the latter involve organs such as the small intestine and the liver; anatomical structures such as the lymphatic system; and molecules such as lipoproteins.
How do we get them?
As with other nutrients, triglycerides reach our bodies through the foods and substances we consume daily. The substances that most frequently provide us with triglycerides are butter and oils , although they are also generated from the consumption of calories from different foods.
Depending on their components, and the frequency or quantity in which they are consumed, some foods and substances favour the process of lipid absorption. However, there are others that can hinder this process, causing their accumulation.
Specifically, when we consume calories that our body does not immediately need (extra calories), the calories are converted to triglycerides and deposited in different cells and tissues. When it occurs in a moderate way, this process has the objective of keeping our body with the necessary energy reserves for the day to day.
That is, when we have an activity that requires high levels of energy, the cells containing triglycerides are released and travel to different tissues, to nourish them and keep them active. However, when triglycerides accumulate excessively and unnecessarily, they can lead to serious health problems.
Normal level and high level
As we can see, triglycerides have both a function and a major risk in our bodies. Their concentration levels are measured by a test that also allows us to know the cholesterol levels . Triglycerides are measured in milligrams per deciliter (abbreviated as mg/dL).
Triglyceride levels measured from Normal to Very High for the adult are as follows:
- Normal: less than 150 mg/dL.
- High limit: 150 to 199 mg/dL.
- High: 200 to 499 mg/dL.
- Very high: from 500 mg/dL
These levels can be detected through a test that involves drawing blood from the vein on the inside of the elbow. Blood can also be drawn from the back of the hands. In either case, the test is done after 12 hours of fasting.
Consequences of high triglyceride levels
Above a high triglyceride concentration limit , the risk of developing heart disease and/or a metabolic syndrome increases; this is when the same person has all the risk factors for cardiovascular disease: central obesity, diabetes, high triglyceride and low lipoprotein levels and low density, and high blood pressure.
In addition, if triglyceride levels increase to 150 mg/dL or more, those levels are considered hypertriglyceridemia. As the name implies, this is the very high concentration of triglycerides in the blood. The presence of hypertriglyceridemia indicates that it has potentially increased the risk of developing coronary heart disease, although it is also a risk factor for acute pancreatitis if it occurs at even higher levels (when it reaches 1000 mg/dL or more).
Likewise, hypertriglyceridemia has been associated with the development of arteriosclerosis; both because of the triglyceride levels and the cholesterol content of the remaining lipoproteins (sets of proteins and lipids that carry fat around the body, and that being remnants, are the lipoproteins converted into fatty acids and accumulated throughout the day).
In this sense, although hypertriglyceridemia refers only to increased triglycerides, in some cases it may be related to hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol levels), which may indicate a high risk of suffering from different types of cardiovascular disease, such as ischemic heart disease and myocardial infarction .
.
Causes and treatment of high triglycerides
The main cause of high triglyceride levels is the intake of more calories than we can burn. This amount is mainly caused by excessive consumption of sugar and saturated fat. Also, some lifestyles, such as smoking or frequent alcohol consumption, are two risk factors for high triglyceride levels .
On the other hand, some medical conditions that can generate high triglycerides are as follows:
- Overweight and obesity .
- Thyroid diseases.
- Type 2 diabetes.
- Kidney or liver diseases .
- Genetic conditions, such as familial combined hyperlipidemia
- Alterations in the activity of lipoproteins (those that regulate the metabolism of lipids in the body).
In this sense, the prevention and treatment of high triglyceride levels consists of avoiding the accumulation of lipids in our blood and tissues , by preventing the risk factors mentioned above.
One of the most important treatments is to make lifestyle modifications. For example, it is essential to maintain control of our weight through regular physical activity combined with a balanced diet. Specifically, it is important to limit the consumption of added sugars, saturated fats, and refined foods or flours, as well as alcoholic beverages, since all of these produce additional calories that are converted into triglycerides, and often accumulate in excess within our bodies. Instead of saturated fats, easily absorbed fats derived from olive oil or fish can be used .
In addition, if high triglyceride levels require medical treatment to reduce them, it is common to prescribe drugs that are also used to treat cholesterol. These include nicotinic acid, fibrates and cholesterol absorption inhibitors.
Bibliographic references:
- MedlinePlus (2018). Triglycerides. MedlinePlus. Recovered August 20, 2018. Available at https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/triglycerides.html.
- Texas Heart Institute (2018). Metabolic syndrome. Texas Heart Institute. Recovered August 20, 2018. Available at https://www.texasheart.org/heart-health/heart-information-center/topics/sindrome-metabolico/.
- González-Chávez-A., Simental-MendÃa, L.E. and Elizondo-Argueta, S. (2011). High triglyceride/cholesterol-HDL ratio and insulin resistance. Surgery and surgeons, 79: 126-131.
- Nordestgaard, B., Benn, M., Schnohr, P., et al. (2007). Nonfasting triglycerides and risk of myocardial infarction, ischemic heart disease, and death in men and women. JAMA, 298(3): 299-308.
- Gan, Sl., Edwards, AL., Symonds, C.J., et al. Hypertriglyceridemia-induced pancreatitis: A case-based review. World, J. Gastroenterology, 12(44): 7197-7202.