What Causes High Triglycerides
There are many factors that can contribute to elevated triglyceride levels. In some cases, the cause can be as simple as a poor diet or unhealthy lifestyle choices. But in other cases, your genes, medical history, and medications can play a part.
To that end, here are some of the most common causes of high triglycerides and normal blood cholesterol levels.
Complications Of High Cholesterol
Since high cholesterol alone typically doesnt cause any symptoms, people only experience complications when their high cholesterol contributes to the development of severe heart disease, often in the form of heart attack or stroke. Over the long term, high cholesterol can cause plaque to form in your arteries, which can then narrow and lead to a cardiovascular emergency.
Your Test Results: A Preview
Your test results will show your cholesterol levels in milligrams per deciliter of blood . Your total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol are among numerous factors your doctor can use to predict your lifetime or 10-year risk for a heart attack or stroke. Your doctor will also consider other risk factors, such as age, family history, smoking status, diabetes and high blood pressure.
Lipid profile or lipid panel is a blood test that will give you results for your HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides and total blood cholesterol.
Recommended Reading: How Does Cholesterol Make Vitamin D
Don’t Miss: How To Increase Your Good Cholesterol
How Do Triglycerides Circulate In The Blood
Pure cholesterol cannot mix with or dissolve in the blood. Instead, the liver packages cholesterol with triglycerides and proteins called lipoproteins. The lipoproteins move this fatty mixture to areas throughout the body.
Types of these lipoproteins include very low-density lipoproteins , high-density lipoproteins and low-density lipoproteins .
High Total Cholesterol Normal Ldl Cholesterol Normal Hdl Cholesterol Very High Triglycerides
Even though triglycerides only contribute a small fraction to the total cholesterol value, very high levels can drastically skew this value and are very dangerous. High levels of triglycerides, especially without high levels of HDL or LDL, may indicate issues in the liver, where triglycerides are made. Testing your liver enzymes can help you identify whether there is in fact a problem levels of these enzymes would be high if this were the case. Elevated triglycerides can be damaging to your cardiovascular system, but can also lead to acute pancreatitis , which requires immediate medical attention.3
Also Check: What Foods Can You Eat To Lower Cholesterol
What About The Mediterranean Diet
The Mediterranean diet is an eating plan that improves cholesterol and lowers your risk of dying early. A big change for most people is to use olive oil instead of other fats and oils. Other parts of the Mediterranean diet include:
-
Eating less red meat, dairy products, eggs, and poultry
-
Eating more fish, tree nuts, vegetables, and whole grains
-
Drinking wine in moderation.
Dont Miss: Does High Cholesterol Cause Diabetes
What Is Ldl Cholesterol
Low density lipoprotein is a type of lipoprotein, which helps in the transportation of cholesterol in our body. This is often referred to as a bad cholesterol type since it can get deposited on blood vessel walls as thick and dense plaques and attracts macrophages which will eventually obstruct the vessel lumen causing Atherosclerosis.
Increased LDL levels markedly increase the risk of coronary artery disease.
Every person who is suspected to have Hypercholesterolemia should get a lipid profile done once in every month, which will reveal a laboratory measurement of LDL cholesterol in the body.
Also Check: How Quickly Can You Reduce Your Cholesterol Levels
Recommended Reading: What Is The Fastest Way To Lower Triglycerides
Be Careful With Pancake Toppings
Table sugar is not the only kind of sugar you need to be wary of when you have high triglycerides. Honey and maple syrup can increase your triglyceride levels, too. One tablespoon of honey has 64 calories and approximately 17 grams of sugar. One tablespoon of maple syrup contains 50 calories and approximately 13 grams of sugar. If you want to indulge in these sweeteners, use less of them or look for low-calorie or sugar-free maple syrup. Sugar comes in many forms. Read the labels and watch for brown sugar, corn syrup, corn sweetener, fruit juice concentrate, fructose sweetener, glucose, invert sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, maltose, lactose, malt syrup, molasses, sucrose, turbinado sugar, and trehalose. They are also bad for your blood sugar.
How To Prepare For The Test
You should not eat for 8 to 12 hours before the test.
Alcohol and some medicines can interfere with blood test results.
- Make sure your health care provider knows what medicines you take, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements.
- Your provider will tell you if you need to stop taking any medicines before you have this test.
- DO NOT stop or change your medicines without talking to your provider first.
Also Check: Medication For High Triglyceride Levels
Why The Test Is Performed
Triglycerides are usually measured together with other blood fats. Often it is done to help determine your risk of developing heart disease. A high triglyceride level may lead to atherosclerosis, which increases your risk for heart attack and stroke.
A very high triglyceride level may also cause swelling of your pancreas .
Recommended Reading: How To Read Cholesterol Test Results
What Is Cholesterol And Is It Unhealthy
Cholesterol is a waxy substance found in your body and in animal products such as meat, eggs, and dairy.
It plays important roles in the production of hormones, vitamin D, and the bile necessary for digesting fats. Its also an essential component of every cell in your body, giving cell membranes strength and flexibility .
Your liver produces all the cholesterol your body needs to function, but cholesterol can also be introduced by eating animal products.
Since cholesterol doesnt mix well with liquids such as blood, its transported by particles called lipoproteins, including low density and high density lipoprotein or LDL and HDL.
LDL is often referred to as bad cholesterol because its associated with plaque buildup in your arteries, while HDL helps excrete excess cholesterol from your body .
When you consume extra cholesterol, your body compensates by reducing the amount that it naturally makes. In contrast, when dietary cholesterol intake is low, your body increases cholesterol production to ensure that theres always enough of this vital substance .
Only about 25% of cholesterol in your system comes from dietary sources. Your liver produces the rest .
You May Like: Can Nuts Increase Cholesterol Levels
How Can A High Ldl Level Raise My Risk Of Coronary Artery Disease And Other Diseases
If you have a high LDL level, this means that you have too much LDL cholesterol in your blood. This extra LDL, along with other substances, forms plaque. The plaque builds up in your arteries this is a condition called atherosclerosis.
Coronary artery disease happens when the plaque buildup is in the arteries of your heart. It causes the arteries to become hardened and narrowed, which slows down or blocks the blood flow to your heart. Since your blood carries oxygen to your heart, this means that your heart may not be able to get enough oxygen. This can cause angina , or if the blood flow is completely blocked, a heart attack.
Recommended Reading: How Accurate Are Finger Prick Cholesterol Tests
Monitor Your Triglyceride Levels With Everlywell
High-calorie diets, unhealthy lifestyles, and certain medical conditions can often lead to elevated triglyceride levels. However, managing your cholesterol and triglyceride levels is crucial to maintaining your overall health.
Thatâs why regularly testing your lipid levels is so important. Detecting elevated triglyceride levels allows you to begin making changes to prevent severe health risks.
But life gets hectic, and sometimes even important things like visiting your healthcare provider can fall by the wayside. Fortunately, thereâs a simple way to stay on top of your health from the comfort of your home.
Welcome to Everlywell.
Weâre making it easier than ever to get a handle on your health and gain crucial insight into your lipid and triglyceride levels. The at-home Cholesterol & Lipids Test from Everlywell measures your triglyceride levels, in addition to three types of cholesterol lipids to give you a clear picture of your wellness needs.
Each test kit contains everything you need to safely and effectively measure your lipid levels, including lancets for collecting a blood sample and a prepaid address label for sending your sample to the lab for testing.
Whether your healthcare provider has expressed concerns about your triglyceride levels or you’re simply curious to find out where yours stand, the Everlywell at-home Cholesterol Test & Lipids Test can give you the insight you’re looking for.
Don’t Miss: Which Foods Lower Ldl Cholesterol Naturally
How Can I Lower My Triglycerides Quickly
Dietary and lifestyle changes may help you lower your triglycerides within a few months. The first step, though, involves finding out why your triglycerides are high. Hypertriglyceridemia has many causes. These include:
- Dietary factors.
- Medical conditions.
- Some medications.
If you just learned your triglycerides are high, the first thing you should do is talk with your healthcare provider. Your provider will ask you some questions and review your medical history to see what might be causing the spike in your triglyceride level.
Your provider will then help you come up with a plan for getting your triglycerides back to a healthy level. This plan may involve medication to lower your triglycerides, especially if your numbers are very high. Or, you may need treatment for an underlying condition.
Your provider will also help you with dietary and lifestyle changes. Its always best to follow the individual plan your provider gives you. But here are some general guidelines that research shows can help you lower your triglycerides.
Dietary changes to help lower your triglycerides
There are four main dietary culprits that raise your triglycerides:
Product labels or packaging will also tell you if an item is fat-free. Its important to reduce your fat intake. But be aware that desserts labeled fat-free usually contain more sugar than full-fat versions and just as many calories. Limit these desserts or find healthier options like fresh fruit or sugar-free popsicles.
Not A Direct Measurement
The LDL measurement is typically considered the most important aspect of your cholesterol profile when it comes to assessing risk. Before you panic about your results, its crucial to know that the traditional cholesterol test does not directly measure LDL. The fasting cholesterol test calculates your LDL using a formula called the Friedewald equation. It takes into account your total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein and triglycerides to make an estimate. Because of this limitation, results can be misleading under certain circumstances.
Read Also: What Is Non Hdl Cholesterol Test
How Is A Lipid Disorder Diagnosed
To check your cholesterol levels, your doctor will order a blood test called a lipid profile, or lipid panel. This test measures your total cholesterol and triglycerides. Before this test, your doctor will likely ask you to avoid eating and drinking liquids other than water for at least 8 to 12 hours.
The lipid profile measures cholesterol in milligrams of cholesterol per deciliter . Your total cholesterol level should be no higher than 200 mg/dL. Learn how to understand your cholesterol results.
A combination of medications and lifestyle changes is a common treatment plan to correct high cholesterol and triglycerides. Your doctor may also suggest certain supplements.
High Total Cholesterol Normal Ldl High Hdl Normal Triglycerides
In this case, the high total cholesterol is less troublesome since its largely due to elevated HDL . The fact that HDL is high and LDL is normal also makes for a favorable HDL:LDL ratio. Although, extremely high levels of HDL cholesterol can be due to genetics. Generally, HDL levels shouldnt exceed 116 mg/dL for men and 135 mg/dL for women.2
You May Like: Food To Lower Triglycerides And Ldl
How To Raise Hdl Cholesterol And Lower Triglycerides
What I have found really works is a simple change in your diet: Lower carbohydrates and increase monounsaturated fats found in nuts, especially almonds, walnuts, pecan, macadamia and pistachios. Increasing the intake olive oil, avocados and fatty fish such as salmon also helps somewhat. Compared to popular belief, exercise does not help to raise your HDL cholesterol or lower triglycerides.
Dr. Zaidis Vitamins Free Shipping
- Best Diabetic Multivitamin -Endocrinologist FormulatedRated 5.00 out of 5$59.95
- Magnesium Supplements: Health Benefits, Side-effects, Various TypesRated 5.00 out of 5$28.95
- Vitamin D3 with K2 – A Perfect Combination by Dr. Z’s VitaminsRated 5.00 out of 5$39.95
- 17 Stress and Anxiety Vitamins in One Capsule – Stress BusterRated 5.00 out of 5$39.95
- Dr. Z’s Vitamins – ZINC plus COPPER: Made in USARated 5.00 out of 5$29.95
- Methyl B12 and Methyl Folate – ZARY – Chewable TabletsRated 5.00 out of 5$39.95
- Six Herbs for Diabetes In One Capsule – DiaherbsRated 5.00 out of 5$39.95
- DHEA Supplement by Zaidimins – Highest Quality – Made in USARated 5.00 out of 5$14.95
The Effects Of Alcohol On Triglycerides And Ldl
Moderate alcohol intake can increase HDL cholesterol, and that’s a plus. It also might increase insulin sensitivity and cause other positive health responses. The recommendation for alcohol use is mild or moderate consumption. Using alcohol in moderation is considered one drink a day for women and two drinks a day for men.
Note: The beneficial effects of alcohol are not great enough to endorse the use of alcohol if you do not already drink. Talk with your health care provider about the pluses and minuses of alcohol for you and your health.
Recommended Reading: Why Is Shrimp High In Cholesterol
Low Triglycerides And High Ldl
According to the American Heart Association, triglycerides are fats made in the body from other nutrients such as carbohydrates. If you eat calories that are not used immediately, they are converted into triglycerides and transported to fat cells to be stored.
Because LDL comes from two sources — the foods you eat and heredity — it is possible to have low triglycerides along with high LDL by eating a healthy diet while your body produces high levels of LDL. The American Heart Association says about 75 percent of your total cholesterol is manufactured in your liver and other cells.
Choose Foods That Help Improve Your Ldl And Hdl Levels
Following a healthy eating plan can play a big role in your overall health, including your blood sugar and blood lipid control. What you eat and your cholesterol levels go hand in hand.
Foods that can help lower cholesterol:
Fiber , healthy fats , and plant stanols or sterols have all been shown to help lower cholesterol.
Other ways to improve cholesterol:
— Reduce sugar intake: Cut the amount of added sugars you eat. This is especially important for people with high triglycerides. The grams of sugars on the Nutrition Facts label of a food package, however, doesn’t tell you if sugars have been added . Instead, look at the ingredients list for items such as sugar, corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, molasses, maple syrup, or agave to see if there are added sugars in the product. Natural sugars, such as those found in fruit and dairy products, are also counted as sugars on the Nutrition Facts label. Limit how much sugar you use to sweeten drinks or in recipes.
— Limit high-cholesterol foods: People with diabetes should consume no more than 200 milligrams of cholesterol per day, according to the ADA.
Recommended Reading: How To Lower Glucose And Cholesterol
The Best Herbs To Help Lower Cholesterol
While cholesterol is a necessary component in the body, too much of a certain type can lead to potential health problems. However, certain herbs, such as turmeric and rosemary, could help lower cholesterol. That said, more research is necessary to determine their effect on cholesterol.
Cholesterol is a necessary building component for cells. The liver creates this waxy substance and spreads it throughout the body through blood.
Genetics and lifestyle can influence how much cholesterol the liver produces. When it produces too much, it can lead to blockage, which can cause a heart attack or stroke.
However, not all cholesterol is bad. Health experts split it into two types :
- Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol: Individuals often call this bad cholesterol. LDL can contribute to blocked arteries when levels are high.
- High-density lipoprotein cholesterol: People often call this good cholesterol. HDL helps remove LDL cholesterol from the blood.
When testing cholesterol numbers, doctors often also look at levels of triglycerides. These fats store excess energy from a persons diet and can contribute to excess LDL cholesterol levels.
Several treatments, including medication and lifestyle changes, can help lower LDL cholesterol.
People may consume artichoke as part of a nutritious diet, such as the Mediterranean diet. Several studies over the years have looked at how artichoke affects cholesterol levels.
Some evidence suggests it may have cholesterol lowering effects.
Is Dietary Cholesterol Harmful
Research shows that dietary cholesterol doesnt significantly affect cholesterol levels in your body, and data from population studies doesnt support an association between dietary cholesterol and heart disease in the general population .
Though dietary cholesterol may slightly affect cholesterol levels, this isnt an issue for most people.
In fact, two-thirds of the worlds population experience little or no increase in cholesterol levels after eating cholesterol-rich foods even in large amounts .
A small number of people are considered cholesterol non-compensators or hyper-responders and appear to be more vulnerable to high cholesterol foods. However, hyper-responders are thought to recycle extra cholesterol back to their liver for excretion .
Dietary cholesterol has also been shown to beneficially affect the LDL-to-HDL ratio, which is considered the best indicator of heart disease risk .
While research shows that its unnecessary for most people to avoid dietary cholesterol, keep in mind that not all cholesterol-containing foods are healthy.
Recommended Reading: How Does A Keto Diet Affect Your Cholesterol
Also Check: Are Chia Seeds Good For Lowering Cholesterol