Triglycerides: what are they and how do they affect our health?

This type of molecule is closely related to cholesterol and fat accumulation.

Among the various substances that constantly travel through our Blood are lipids, molecules with very important functions for living organisms. The most common type of these molecules are triglycerides, which are very important for living organisms..

In adequate levels, the latter can keep our organism in balance, but, otherwise, triglycerides can generate serious health risks. For this reason, they are one of the most medically controlled molecules.

In this article we will see what triglycerides are, what is their function and risks for the organism and how we can maintain their levels in balance.

What are triglycerides and what is their function?

Triglycerides are the most common type of lipid in our bloodstream. As such, they are molecules composed mainly of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen.. They are also water-insoluble molecules and are found in different living beings, fulfilling different functions depending on the specific type of lipid in question.

For example, lipids such as steroid hormones can serve to regulate the functioning of specific cells. Other types of lipids, known as structural function lipids, may serve to shape cell membranes. Likewise, the type of lipids we know as triglycerides can serve to generate the energy reserves necessary for our daily activity.

For absorption, transport and metabolism The latter involve organs such as the small intestine and liver; anatomical structures such as the lymphatic system; and molecules such as lipoproteins.

How do we obtain them?

As with other nutrients, triglycerides reach our body through the food and substances we consume on a daily basis. The substances that most frequently provide us with triglycerides are butter and oils, but they are also generated from fatty acids.However, they are also generated from the consumption of calories that come from different foods.

Depending on their components, and the frequency or quantity in which they are consumed, some foods and substances favor the process of lipid absorption. However, there are others that can hinder this process, causing their accumulation.

Specifically, when we consume calories that our body does not immediately need (extra calories), the latter are converted into triglycerides and deposited in different cells and tissues. When it occurs in moderation, this process has the objective of to maintain our body with the necessary energy reserves for the day to day. for day-to-day life.

That is, when we have an activity that requires high levels of energy, the cells containing triglycerides are released and travel to the different tissues to nourish them and keep them active. However, when triglycerides accumulate excessively and unnecessarily, they can generate serious health problems.

Normal and high levels

As we can see, triglycerides have both a function and an important risk in our organism. Their concentration levels are measured by a test that also allows us to know cholesterol levels.. In your case, triglycerides are measured in milligrams per deciliter (abbreviated as follows: mg/dL).

Triglyceride levels measured from Normal to Very High for the adult are as follows:

• Normal: less than 150 mg/dL.
• High limit: 150 to 199 mg/dL.
• High: 200 to 499 mg/dL.
• Very high: 500 mg/dL and above.

These levels can be detected by a test that involves drawing blood from the vein on the inside of the elbow. Blood can also be drawn from the back of the hands. In either case, the test is performed after 12 hours of fasting.

Consequences of high triglyceride levels

Above a high triglyceride level, the risk of developing heart disease increases. the risk of developing heart disease and/or metabolic syndrome increases.The risk factors for cardiovascular disease are central obesity, diabetes, high triglyceride levels and low levels of low-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein, and high blood pressure.

In addition, if triglyceride levels increase to 150 mg/dL or more, these levels are considered hypertriglyceridemia. As the name implies, this is a very high concentration of triglycerides in the blood. The presence of hypertriglyceridemia indicates a potentially increased risk of developing coronary heart disease, although it is also a risk factor for acute pancreatitis if present at even higher levels (when it reaches 1000 mg/dL or more).

Likewise, hypertriglyceridemia has been associated with the development of arteriosclerosis; both due to triglyceride levels and to the cholesterol content of remnant lipoproteins (sets of protein and lipids that carry fat through the body, and that being remnant, these are the lipoproteins converted into fatty acids and accumulated throughout the day).

In this sense, although hypertriglyceridemia refers only to an increase in triglycerides, in some cases it can be related to hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol levels), which can indicate a high risk of suffering from different types of cardiovascular disease, such as ischemic heart disease and myocardial infarction..

Causes and treatment of high triglycerides

The main cause of high triglyceride levels is the intake of more calories than we can burn. This amount is mainly caused by excessive consumption of sugar and saturated fats. Also, certain lifestyles, such as smoking or frequent alcohol consumption, are two risk factors for high triglyceride levels. two risk factors for high triglyceride levels..

On the other hand, some medical conditions that can generate high triglycerides are the following:

• Overweight and obesity.
• Thyroid disease.
• Type 2 diabetes.
• Kidney or liver disease.
• Genetic conditions, such as familial combined hyperlipidemia.
• Alterations in the activity of lipoproteins (those that regulate lipid metabolism in the body).

In this sense, the prevention and treatment of high triglyceride levels consists in preventing lipids from accumulating in our blood and tissuesby preventing the risk factors mentioned above.

One of the most important treatments is to make lifestyle modifications. For example, it is essential to maintain weight control through regular physical activity combined with a balanced diet. Specifically, it is important to limit the consumption of added sugars, saturated fats, and refined flours or foods, as well as alcoholic beverages, since all of these produce additional calories that are converted into triglycerides, and many times accumulate in excess within our organism. Instead of saturated fats, easily absorbed fats derived from olive oil or fish can be used instead of saturated fats..

Likewise, and in case high triglyceride levels require medical treatment for their reduction, it is common to prescribe drugs that are also used to treat cholesterol. These include nicotinic acid, fibrates and cholesterol absorption inhibitors.