What Is The Difference Between Triglycerides And Cholesterol

Overall Nutritious Eating Pattern

Laing recommended that people consider adding honey to their diets if they enjoy the flavor and are seeking to add variety to an overall nutritious eating pattern.

She also noted that people might experiment with replacing sugar sweetener with honey, keeping in mind that honey has a sweeter taste so smaller amounts would be needed.

Khan suggested obtaining raw honey from local beekeepers or bee farms.

Any floral honey, such as those from clover plants, as well as robinia, can be purchased, he added. Robinia honey is usually sold by the name of Acacia Honey, he said.

Whats The Difference Between Triglycerides And Cholesterol

Triglycerides and cholesterol are both a type of necessary fat found in your blood. Blood tests can measure how much of each you have in your body, and these numbers can tell you a lot about your overall health.

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But for all their similarities, there are also differences between triglycerides and cholesterol that you should know about. Here, weâll break those down.

What Can You Do At Home To Treat High Triglycerides

The main way to deal with high triglycerides is to eat better and get more exercise. Here are some guidelines to help you manage your level:

Moderate exercise: Try to exercise 5 or more days each week. Lack of movement makes it hard for your body to process blood sugar and triglycerides as it normally does. So itâs important for you to get up and get moving more each day. Skip the escalator or elevator and climb stairs. Get off the bus or subway one stop early and walk. Find activities you enjoy: Walk, swim, or ride a bike. Join a gym. Talk to your doctor before you begin any exercise plan.

Watch your weight: If youâre carrying extra pounds, losing 5% to 10% of your weight can lower triglycerides. People with a healthy weight are more likely to have normal levels. Belly fat is associated with higher numbers.

Eat less bad fat and carbs: Try to lower the saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol in your diet. Cutting back on carbohydrates will help, too. Foods high in saturated fat, such as red meat, boost levels. Butter and cheese contain these same triglyceride-boosting fats. Choose lean meats or protein alternatives, such as chicken and unprocessed turkey, that are lower in saturated fat.

Another healthy option: Make meatless meals. Vegetarian pastas, chilis, and stir-fries are a delicious alternative to meat dishes. Avoid dishes loaded with cream or cheese in favor of recipes that use vegetable or olive oil and feature plenty of vegetables.

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A Diabetes Risk Factor

Research shows that lowering triglyceride levels may help stave off diabetes, a serious condition that occurs when the body cant make the hormone insulin or use it well.

In a 10-year study of otherwise healthy men, researchers found that those with the lowest triglyceride levels were least likely to develop diabetes. In addition, men with high triglycerides who lowered them with healthy lifestyle changes had a diabetes risk that was similar to those who never had a triglyceride problem at all. The results were true even when controlling for diabetes risk factors such as blood pressure, physical activity, body mass index, family history, and more.

Experts dont fully understand the relationship between triglycerides and diabetes. However, they believe excess triglycerides can increase insulin resistance in some people. This is the bodys inability to use glucose effectively.

How To Use Mct Or Coconut Oil

Both MCT oil and coconut oil can be added to smoothies, coffee, and other dishes. Coconut oil is the better choice of the two for cooking and baking.

Coconut oil can also be used as a carrier oil to dilute essential oils for topical use. It can also be used in hair treatments and as a natural skin moisturizer.

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What Does It Mean When Triglycerides Are High

High triglyceride levels may result in hardening of the arteries , which increases risks of stroke, heart attack, and heart disease. They can be part of metabolic syndrome, which also includes too much fat around the waist, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and abnormal cholesterol levels.

Which is worse high cholesterol or triglycerides?

In fact, high triglycerides are as dangerous as bad cholesterol when it comes to your risk for heart disease. According to researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , high triglycerides could be a problem for one-third of all Americans.

Which foods are bad for triglycerides?

Foods to Avoid If You Have High Triglycerides

• Starchy Veggies. 1 / 12.

• Pastries, pies, cookies, and cakes.

How To Control High Cholesterol Levels In Blood

High cholesterol levels in blood can be controlled by,

• Consuming a healthy diet rich in whole grain, oatmeals, leafy vegetables, fruits
• Cutting down excessive refined fats modified carbohydrates and unsaturated oils
• Regular exercises
• Cholesterol lowering drugs-Statins, according to medical advice

  Structure of LDL receptor family members

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Medications May Be Needed For High Triglyceride Levels

Sometimes, healthy eating and regular exercise cant lower high triglyceride levels. This may be the case, for example, if you have familial hypertriglyceridemia or if you already have heart disease. Your doctor may prescribe medication such as fibrates or nicotinic acids. Drugs to help lower high blood cholesterol may also be prescribed, if necessary.Suggestions for managing high triglyceride levels with medication include:

• Always take prescription medications exactly as instructed.
• See your doctor if you are having side effects from the medication. Known medication side effects may include indigestion, diarrhoea, fever or muscle problems.
• Dont assume that medications will somehow overcome the hazards of an unhealthy lifestyle. A healthy diet, regular exercise and maintaining an appropriate weight for your height are the most important management strategies for high triglycerides.

Diagnosis Of High Triglycerides

A blood test can reveal whether or not you have high triglycerides. You may need to have two blood tests for accurate results. Dont eat anything for at least 12 hours before each blood test because food particularly fatty food can temporarily boost triglyceride levels in the blood and skew your test results.Triglycerides are measured in mmol/L. The range includes:

• Very high over 6 mmol/L
• High between2 and 6 mmol/L
• Borderline high between 1.7 and 2 mmol/L
• Normal below 1.7 mmol/L

The doctor may also test your cholesterol levels. In many cases, high triglycerides and high cholesterol go hand in hand. This condition is sometimes known as combined hyperlipidemia.

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Everyone Must Understand The Difference Between Triglycerides And Cholesterol And Their Effect On Their Health

We have heard the terms cholesterols and triglycerides more often in different mediums. Have you ever wondered what they are? Have you wondered why the levels of cholesterols and triglycerides are measured differently in tests? Let us learn about these terms more in detail.

How To Maintain A Proper Lipid Profile

A test that measures cholesterol and triglycerides is called a lipid profile. It is done to monitor the levels of these lipid molecules in the system. When the range of these molecules in the bloodstream is above normal then we have to take certain measures to reduce them naturally.

You need to follow the right protocols to have a good lipid profile. Patients who are unable to control the levels by changing their lifestyles might have to take medications prescribed by registered medical practitioners. The doctors will also prescribe regular tests to measure the levels and make necessary changes in the medications.

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Whats The Difference Between Cholesterol And Triglycerides

Youve probably heard of high blood cholesterol, but have you heard of high blood triglycerides?

Cholesterol and triglycerides are important measures of heart health. Both cholesterol and triglycerides are different types of lipids that circulate in the blood, but elevated levels of both can raise your risk for heart disease. Here is a rundown of the difference between cholesterol and triglycerides, and why they matter for your heart health.

Definitions & Why it Matters

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance found in some foods and in your blood. Your liver makes most of the blood cholesterol and it produces enough for your needs. Cholesterol is part of every cell in your body and some hormones. Cholesterol is needed to help your body digest and absorb fat.

Too much cholesterol in the blood can build up inside arteries, forming what is known as plaque. Large amounts of plaque increase your chances of having a heart attack or stroke.

Triglycerides are a type of fat found in some foods as well as in your body. Triglyceride is a term that describes the structure of a fat, which is made up of 3 fatty acids and a glycerol backbone. . When you eat, your body converts any excess calories you dont need to use right away into triglycerides for a longer-term energy source. Triglycerides are mostly stored in your fat cells and are commonly deposited beneath the skin and around some internal organs. Some triglycerides circulate in the blood.

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The Pros And Cons Of Total Cholesterol Hdl Ldl And Triglyceride Testing

Time to get your cholesterol checked. Okay, but which test should you get? Itâs not so simple anymore. Here is a rundown of some of the choices and their pros and cons:

Total cholesterol. This is the simplest and least expensive test. The test doesnât require any sophisticated lab work, either. The simple, do-it-yourself home cholesterol tests measure total cholesterol.

But total cholesterol includes both âgoodâ high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and the âbadâ varieties, chiefly low-density lipoprotein and very-low-density lipoprotein . So, if your total cholesterol is in the desirable category, itâs possible that you may have unhealthy levels of HDL and LDL and VLDL . Think of total cholesterol as a first glimpse, a peek. Doctors are not supposed to make any treatment decisions based on this number alone.

Cholesterol levels can be lowered by stress or infection. An injury, cancer, stroke, or heart attack may have the same effect. So, if your cholesterol levels are unusually high or low, your doctor will probably want to repeat the test some weeks later. Abnormal readings may also lead to tests for other medical problems.

HDL cholesterol. HDL wins its laurels as the âgoodâ cholesterol because it sponges up cholesterol from blood vessel walls and ferries it to the liver for disposal. In contrast, LDL deposits the harmful fat in vessel walls.

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Triglycerides And Cholesterol: The Differences

Although triglycerides and cholesterol share similarities, they are not the same. Here are some fundamental differences.

Triglycerides and cholesterol are produced differently. While the body can produce all the cholesterol it needs to function, this isnt the case with triglycerides, which come from food or excess calories.

They serve different purposes in the body. While the primary function of triglycerides is to give your body energy and store unused calories for later, cholesterol helps your body build cells and make hormones, vitamin D, and bile to help break down the foods you eat.

When levels are too high, they can each harm your heart in different ways. The link between high cholesterol and heart disease is well established, and research on triglycerides is now bringing new insights. A study published in June 2020 in the journal BMJ Open found that in 50 year-old women, high levels of triglycerides but not cholesterol may be a risk factor for developing heart failure later. Growing evidence also ties high triglycerides to heart disease risk, regardless of cholesterol levels. Both blood sugar and high triglycerides can be signs that the body isnt using or storing energy appropriately, Milks says.

Bottom line: Both triglycerides and cholesterol are important, and keeping both in check can help your heart stay at its healthiest.

When To Seek Treatment

Deciding on whether you ought to be treated for high cholesterol or high triglyceride levels, whether that treatment ought to include drug therapy, and which drugs ought to be used is not always entirely straightforward. Still, if your cardiovascular risk is elevated, the right treatment aimed at your lipid levels can substantially reduce your chances of having a heart attack, or even of dying prematurely. So when it comes to treating cholesterol and triglycerides, it is important to get it right. You can read about current thinking on when and how treatment for blood lipids should be chosen.

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Difference Between Triglycerides And Cholesterol

There are dissimilarities between these two types of lipid molecules.

• Difference in production

As mentioned earlier, when an individual consumes carbohydrates more than his requirement, it gets converted into triglycerides and stored in the fat cells.

On the other hand, cholesterol is produced by the body according to its need for particular functions.

Triglycerides are produced as an energy source or respiratory substrate and stored in the fat cells. They can be used as an energy source when needed to generate calories for conducting body functions.

On the other hand, cholesterol is produced for making hormones and Vitamin D. It is also used for making bile which enables our digestive system to break down fat and other food components.

Bad cholesterol, as we all know, causes plaque in the blood vessels and heart valves. This can lead to heart disease and other health risks.

On the other hand, research suggests that triglycerides are linked to heart failure in a higher amount. High sugar levels and triglycerides escalate the risk of heart failure. When an individual is not using these energy units stored in the fat cells, it can cause harm to his heart.

• Clinical indications of high-level diagnosis

A high level of triglycerides can be a sign of diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease, metabolic syndrome, genetic conditions, thyroid conditions, etc.,

A higher level of cholesterol can signify a high risk of heart disease and atherosclerosis.

Triglycerides And Cardiac Risk

Many clinical studies have shown that having a high triglyceride blood level a condition called hypertriglyceridemia is also associated with a substantially elevated cardiovascular risk. While this association is generally accepted by experts, it is not yet agreed that elevated triglyceride levels are a direct cause of atherosclerosis, as LDL cholesterol is thought to be. There is no generally accepted triglyceride hypothesis.

Still, there is no question that hypertriglyceridemia is strongly associated with elevated cardiovascular risk. Furthermore, high triglyceride levels are a prominent feature of several other conditions known to increase cardiac risk. These include obesity, sedentary lifestyle, smoking, hypothyroidism and especially metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes.

This latter relationship is particularly important. The insulin resistance that characterizes metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes produces an overall metabolic profile that tremendously increases cardiac risk. This unfavorable metabolic profile includes, in addition to hypertriglyceridemia, elevated CRP levels, high LDL cholesterol levels, and low HDL cholesterol levels. People with insulin resistance also tend to have hypertension and obesity. Their overall risk of heart disease and stroke is very high.

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Treatment Of High Triglycerides

In most cases, high triglycerides are managed by making lifestyle changes. You may be advised to:

• Exercise for at least 30 minutes every day.
• Eat less, particularly high fat foods.
• Increase the amount of fibre in your diet.
• Avoid high sugar foods such as lollies. Choose foods with a low glycaemic index such as legumes and wholegrain products.
• Eat more fish. Choose fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon, mackerel, tuna and trout. Omega-3 in high doses can reduce triglyceride levels.
• Cut back on alcohol. The kilojoules and sugar in alcoholic drinks can raise triglyceride levels.
• Lose excess body fat using a combination of healthy eating and regular exercise.
• Manage coexisting health conditions such as diabetes or hypertension effectively.

Similarities Between Cholesterol And Triglycerides

• Both cholesterol and triglycerides are two types of fat.
• Both cholesterol and triglycerides are produced in the body.
• Both cholesterol and triglycerides circulate through blood with the aid of proteins and lipoproteins.
• The elevated cholesterol and triglycerides levels in the blood increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.

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Good Cholesterol Vs Bad Cholesterol

Cholesterol lipoproteins come in several different types. You may have heard cholesterol referred to as good and bad cholesterol.

Low-density lipoproteins are considered bad cholesterol, according to the Mayo Clinic. If LDL cholesterol levels are too high, these particles can mix with other substances and build up as plaque in the arteries. Plaque can make the arteries more narrow and rigid, a condition called atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis can reduce blood flow and may eventually cause a heart attack or stroke, per the Mayo Clinic.

High-density lipoproteins help prevent the buildup of plaque. Per the Mayo Clinic, these good cholesterol particles move through the bloodstream and pick up excess LDL cholesterol. The good HDL then returns the bad LDL to the liver for disposal.

It was previously believed that eating cholesterol-rich foods could raise cholesterol levels to an unhealthy level. But a major 2015 report by the USDA Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee says that dietary cholesterol is less of a risk factor for atherosclerosis and heart disease than previously thought. However, a diet high in fatty foods and carbohydrates âisâ a risk factor for high cholesterol and plaque buildup.

Poor diet, along with a lack of exercise, obesity and cigarette smoking are all major risk factor for high cholesterol, per the Mayo Clinic. Genetics and older age can also be risk factors.

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