About High Triglycerides

Causes and Factors

• There are many factors that can contribute to high triglyceride levels. As people age, triglyceride levels naturally increase. Pregnancy may also encourage higher levels, as does medications such as birth control pills, diuretics and steroids. Diseases such as diabetes and kidney disease may increase triglyceride levels. In some cases, high triglyceride predisposition is encouraged by genetics, as with hereditary hyperlipoproteinemias, which is a condition that wreaks havoc with metabolism, and familial hyperchylomicronemia, a rare disorder that causes extremely elevated triglyceride levels (higher than 1,000 mg/dL).
  
  

Diagnosis

• Triglyceride levels are determined by a blood test, such as a lipid panel. Before your blood can be checked, it is necessary for you to fast for about nine hours. If you have one or more factors that may contribute to higher triglyceride levels, you may choose to consider taking a blood test. In most cases, there are no symptoms of having high triglycerides. However, people with familial hyperchylomicronemia may cause xanthomas, or fatty deposits underneath your skin that are visible.
  
  

Obesity

• Because triglycerides are a fat, people who are obese and borderline obese will tend to have higher levels of triglycerides. Fortunately, if your high triglyceride levels are caused by obesity and not a genetic disorder or other disease, you have many opportunities to change your lifestyle, lower your body fat and reduce your triglyceride level.
  
  

Alcohol

• People who consume excessive amounts of alcohol may also have higher triglyceride levels. Alcohol gives your body extra calories, which are then turned into fat. Drinking alcohol can also lower your fat metabolism. Alcohol may cause fatty liver, which is a condition in which triglyceride deposits are produced in the liver.
  
  

Lowering Triglyceride Levels

• If you have an excessive level of triglycerides, it's important to work with your doctor to develop a plan for lowering them, especially if your high triglycerides are caused by a disease or condition, or a medication. In general, however, you can alter your diet and lifestyle to lower triglycerides. Avoid saturated and trans fats in foods such as fried foods, bakery products, whole milk, fast food and fatty meats. Choose whole grains and legumes over refined white flour and sugar cereals. Choose fresh fruits for desserts instead of ice cream, and eat plenty of vegetables. In addition, avoid consuming alcohol.