Written by Gloria Tsang, RD of HealthCastle.com Published in May 2006; Updated in Mar 2011
(HealthCastle.com) Triglycerides are the main form of fat in foods. After eating, our liver will process them. It is normal that our blood contains some levels of triglycerides. However, if you consume excess calories regardless from any source - carbohydrates, fats or protein, our body will transform the excess calories into triglycerides for storage as body fat. Therefore it is more common to see high triglyceride level in overweight or obese individuals.
Triglyceride Level
Desirable: < 150 mg/dL (1.7 mmol/L)
High: > 200 mg/dL (2.3 mmol/L)
Very High: >500 mg/dL (5.7 mmol/L)
High triglyceride level is associated with increased risk of heart disease. For other cholesterol levels, check our Cholesterol Numbers Guide.
Why You Need to Do Everything to Lower Triglycerides
High triglycerides contribute to hardening of blood vessels, which increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. The problem is, triglycerides cannot be lowered overnight, and are usually caused by obesity, excessive alcohol consumption, or poorly-managed diabetes. The good news is, diet and healthy eating habits can aid lowering triglycerides.
How to Lower Triglycerides with Diet
Try to:
cut back on saturated fats and trans fats
use lower fat dairy or cheese instead of regular version
trim visible fats from meats
cook with canola, olive or peanut oils
make sure no ingredients in your packaged foods contains partially hydrogenated oil
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