Triglycerides: what they are and how they affect our health

Among the different 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..

At adequate levels, the latter can keep our body 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 body and how we can keep their levels in balance.

• Related article: "Types of fats (good and bad) and their functions"

What are triglycerides and what do they do?

Triglycerides are the most common type of lipid in our bloodstream. As such, it is about sets of molecules composed mainly of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. They are, likewise, molecules insoluble in water and 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 function of specific cells. Another type of lipid, which we know as structural function lipids, can serve to shape cell membranes. Likewise, the type of lipids that we know as triglycerides can be used to generate the energy reserves necessary for our daily activity.

In order to absorption, transport and metabolism organs such as the small intestine and liver participate in the latter; anatomical structures such as the lymphatic system; and molecules like lipoproteins.

How do we obtain them?

As with other nutrients, triglycerides reach our body through the food and substances that we consume on a daily basis. The substances that most often give us triglycerides are butter and oils, although 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 lipid absorption process. However, there are others that can hinder this process, causing its accumulation.

Specifically, when we consume calories that our body does not need immediately (calories additional), the latter are converted into triglycerides and are deposited in different cells and tissues. When it occurs in a moderate way, this process has the objective of keep our body with the necessary energy reserves For the day to day.

That is, when we have an activity that requires high levels of energy, the cells that contain triglycerides are released and travel to different tissues, to nourish and maintain them assets. However, when triglycerides build up excessively and unnecessarily, they can cause serious health problems.

• You may be interested: "Psychology and Nutrition: the importance of emotional eating"

Normal level and high level

As we can see, triglycerides have both a role and an important risk in our body. Your 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: from 500 mg / dL.

These levels can be detected through 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 any case, the test is carried out after a 12-hour fast.

Consequences of high triglyceride levels

From a high limit of triglyceride concentration increase the risk of developing heart disease and / or metabolic syndrome; which is when the same person presents the set of risk factors for cardiovascular disease: obesity heart disease, diabetes, high triglyceride and low lipoprotein and low-density levels, and blood pressure high.

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

Likewise, hypertriglyceridemia has been associated with the development of arteriosclerosis; both for triglyceride levels and for the cholesterol content of the remaining lipoproteins (sets of protein and lipids that carry fat through the body, and that being remnants, it is lipoproteins converted into fatty acids and accumulated throughout the day).

In this sense, although hypertriglyceridemia refers only to increased triglycerides, in some cases it may be related to hypercholesterolaemia (high cholesterol levels), which may indicate a high risk of 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 fat. Also, some lifestyles, such as smoking or consuming alcohol frequently, are 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 diseases.
• Type 2 diabetes.
• Kidney or liver disease.
• Genetic conditions, such as combined familial hyperlipidemia.
• Alterations in the activity of lipoproteins (those that regulate the metabolism of lipids in the body).

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

One of the most important treatments is lifestyle modifications. For example, it is essential to maintain control of our weight 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 beverages. alcoholic, since all this produces additional calories that are converted into triglycerides, and many times they accumulate in excess within our organism. Instead of saturated fat, easily absorbed fats derived from olive oil or fish can be used.

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.

Bibliographic references:

• MedlinePlus (2018). Triglycerides. MedlinePlus. Retrieved August 20, 2018. Available in https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/triglycerides.html.
• Texas Heart Institute (2018). Metabolic syndrome. Texas Heart Institute. Retrieved August 20, 2018. Available in https://www.texasheart.org/heart-health/heart-information-center/topics/sindrome-metabolico/.
• González-Chávez-A., Simental-Mendía, L.E. and Elizondo-Argueta, S. (2011). High triglyceride / HDL cholesterol ratio and insulin resistance. Surgery and Surgeons, 79: 126-131.
• Nordestgaard, B., Benn, M., Schnohr, P., et al. (2007). Nonfasting triglycerides and risk of myocardial infarction, ischemic heart disease, and death in men and women. JAMA, 298 (3): 299-308.
• Gan, Sl., Edwards, AL., Symonds, C.J., et al. (2006). Hypertriglyceridemia-induced pancreatitis: A case-based review. World, J. Gastroenterology, 12 (44): 7197-7202.