What are the famous triglycerides that we have heard so much about?

A few years ago nobody talked about “triglycerides”. However, a television advertisement mentioned this word… and since then we have not stopped hearing it. But, although it is a very common term, many people are unaware of what triglycerides really are and what impact they have on our health.. Next, we will explain in detail what these famous triglycerides are that we have heard so much about… and how we can do to keep them under control and thus prevent other health problems.

What is the function of triglycerides? They show that a blood test could be used to determine who needs a specific lung cancer screening test .

The body stores all the calories that have been ingested and that have not been consumed. These energy reserves are what we know as fats or lipids.. Despite popular belief, there is no single type of fat.. The truth is that there are several. And one of these types of fat is what is known as triglycerides.

The triglycerides that our body stores can have two different origins: the intake of fatty foods, refined carbohydrates, sugars and alcohol; or they may have been synthesized by our own body. When they reach the liver, both triglycerides from food and those created by the body itself are combined with proteins. Each of the molecules resulting from this union is called a “lipoprotein”.

Lipoproteins travel through the bloodstream and carry triglycerides to all the cells of the body so that, if necessary, they can use their energy. If these triglycerides are not consumed… they will accumulate in the form of body fat. A few years ago it was discovered that the amount of triglycerides in the blood is a very suitable index when it comes to predicting some ailments of the circulatory system.

Lipoproteins are molecules made of proteins and triglycerides commons.wikimedia

Some people confuse cholesterol with triglycerides, because they are both in the same food groups.. But they are not the same: triglycerides are a reserve of energy that our bodies store for future use, while cholesterol is used to build cells and hormones.

A simple blood test is all it takes to find out if your triglyceride levels are within normal range or above what is recommended.. Thus, if you usually eat more calories than you burn, it is normal that you have high triglycerides; What is known as hypertriglyceridemia?. These are the triglyceride levels that we can obtain in the blood test:

• Normal: less than 150 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl)
• Limit: 150 to 199 mg/dl
• High: 200 to 499 mg/dl
• Very high: 500 mg/dl or more

Hypertriglyceridemia can increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases, such as coronary heart disease and stroke. It can also increase the risk of acute pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas that can be serious and life-threatening.. Also, elevated triglyceride levels can be a sign of other underlying health problems, such as type 2 diabetes or hypothyroidism.

In fat tissue cells (adipocytes), triglycerides stored in lipid droplets are stained with a specific dye (Oil Red, red color) Archive Archive

That's why it's important to regularly monitor your blood triglyceride levels and take steps to lower them if they're too high.. This may include diet and lifestyle changes, reducing intake of saturated fats, alcohol and refined sugars, increasing physical activity and losing weight if necessary.. In some cases, medications may be prescribed to help lower triglyceride levels.. It is important to work with a healthcare professional to determine the best treatment strategy for your individual situation..