Quick GuideFoods to Avoid If You Have High Triglycerides

• Triglycerides are the main ingredient in vegetable oils and animal fats.
• The triglyceride test measures the level of triglycerides in the blood.
• Fasting for 9 to 12 hours before the triglyceride test is required.
• Elevated triglyceride levels may be a risk factor for atherosclerosis. Highly elevated triglyceride levels may also cause fatty liver disease and pancreatitis.
• High triglyceride levels can also be associated with diabetes, kidney disease, and the use of some medications.
• Normal triglyceride levels in the blood are less than 150 mg per deciliter (mg/dL).
• Triglyceride levels can be controlled to some extent by lifestyle modifications and, when necessary, medications.

Triglycerides are chemical compounds digested by the body to provide it with the energy for metabolism. Triglycerides are the most common form of fat in the body. They are the main ingredient in vegetable oils and animal fats.

The triglyceride molecule is a form of the chemical glycerol (tri=three molecules of fatty acid + glyceride=glycerol) that contains three fatty acids. To be absorbed, these parts are broken apart in the small intestine, and afterwards are reassembled with cholesterol to form chylomicrons. This is the source of energy for cells in the body. Fat cells and liver cells are used as storage sites and release chylomicrons when the body needs the energy.

Elevated triglyceride levels are a risk factor for atherosclerosis, the narrowing of arteries with the buildup of fatty plaques that may lead to heart attack, stroke, and peripheral artery disease. Markedly elevated triglyceride levels may also cause fatty liver disease and pancreatitis.

Elevated triglyceride levels in the blood may be caused by certain diseases and conditions including:

• Poorly-controlled diabetes
• Kidney disease
• Cirrhosis of the liver or other liver diseases
• Hypothyroidism
• Some medications (for example, beta blockers, diuretics, birth control pills)

Alcohol consumption can raise triglyceride blood levels by causing the liver to produce more fatty acids. However, there are some beneficial aspects of moderate alcohol consumption, defined as one alcoholic beverage per day (a glass of wine, a bottle of beer, or an ounce of hard liquor), that may balance this triglyceride rise. Moderate alcohol consumption may mildly increase HDL (the good cholesterol) levels in the bloodstream and red wine, which contains antioxidants, may decrease the risk of heart disease. However, it is not recommended that people start to drink alcohol to obtain these effects.