Triglycerides are fatty acids, which are one of the main energy materials for the body. Excess of these substances increases the risk of heart attack. What threatens to increase their levels in the blood? What is their norm, how are triglycerides used by the body? The norm and deviations of the content of these substances are determined in the study by a biochemical method.
Triglycerides - a source of energy
Lipids are the custodians of fatty acids, in addition, representing a source of energy in the human body. Triglycerides are deposited in the cells of the body. Their excess threatens diseases of the heart and vascular system, although their influence on the occurrence of these diseases is still not fully understood.
Lipids are physiological fats formed in the body. They are also supplied with food, as are exogenous triglycerides. The rate or deviation from the level of these fats is most often investigated when the full lipid profile of the body is studied. An analysis of triglycerides in the blood is a study with which it is possible to identify the onset of the occurrence of diseases of the cardiovascular system. Perform it in the treatment of hypertriglyceridemia.
What does the analysis show?
Triglycerides are organic chemical compounds that belong to simple fats (lipids). In their composition, esters of glycerol and acids of three types. They are energy material that is spent on the current needs of the body or stored in the form of fat.
The study of lipid levels is performed during the analysis of the entire profile of the body's fat balance, i.e., cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglycerides are determined together. Fat analysis is prescribed during the treatment of hypertriglyceridemia. With this violation, only a high triglyceride content is characteristic. By examining the concentration of simple fats, it is possible to assess the risks of coronary heart disease. This study is very important for patients with diabetes, because with a high level of glucose in the bloodstream, the level of simple fats is increased. The reasons for lipid analysis are the possibility of identifying the effectiveness of the therapy aimed at lowering the level of triglycerides in the body. Before the analysis, you should not eat food for 12-24 hours, due to the fact that the food delivers lipoproteins, and this will distort the result of the study. For analysis, a blood sample is taken from the finger or ulnar vein.
Norm
A biochemical analysis is carried out for triglycerides in the blood. Norm and deviation have different meanings in men, women and children. So, in men, a concentration of less than 200 mg / dl or 2.3 mmol / l is considered a norm indicator. A larger amount of the substance is a deviation from the analysis for triglycerides. The norm in women is from 35 to 135 mg / dl, which is equivalent to 0.40-1.54 mmol / l. The threshold for a normal concentration value in children is considered to be 100 mg / dl or 1.13 mmol / l.
- Mild hypertriglyceridemia: 200-500 mg / dl (2.3-5.6 mmol / L).
- Significant hypertriglyceridemia: more than 500 mg / dL (5.6 mmol / L).
In the case when the triglycerides are elevated, the causes of hypertriglyceridemia create more factors for the development of stroke and myocardial infarction than with an increase in blood cholesterol. A lipid concentration of greater than 1000 mg / dl increases the possibility of pancreatic inflammation. The level of triglycerides can vary depending on the day, so small changes in their value should not bother the patient.
Why is triglyceride elevated?
Some reasons for the increase in triglyceride concentration are metabolic disorders, for example:
- primary hyperlipidemia;
- secondary hyperlipidemia;
- complex hyperlipidemia;
- general hyperlipidemia;
- diabetes.
When triglycerides are elevated, the causes of abnormalities should be sought in excessive alcohol consumption, obesity, thyroid hypofunction, renal failure and other problems. The lipid norm can change and acquire high values in the course of diseases such as Cushing's syndrome, acromegaly, lupus erythematosus and lipidostrophy. An increase in fat concentration can also cause the use of diuretics, beta-adrenalists, retinoids or glucocorticoid drugs. Taking oral contraceptives also affects triglycerides. The norm in women can dramatically shift to elevated levels of these fats. A decrease in concentration is observed in hospitalized and mentally unhealthy people.
What causes a lipid metabolism disorder?
The most common cause is malnutrition, which increases the risk of lipid metabolism disorders. An unhealthy lifestyle also contributes to exacerbating this problem. Since childhood, children overfeed, most of them develop bad eating habits . Excess energy is affected by excessive consumption of fats and sugar and lack of exercise. Thus, the body can not cope with the consumption of unnecessary fat. For the functioning of the cells of the body to function perfectly, the energy entering them must be used. An unhealthy lifestyle breaks this interconnected process. As a result, triglycerides increase, the norm turns into a deviation, which provokes diseases in the body.
The consequences of lipid metabolism
An increase in lipid levels leads to obesity, increases the likelihood of developing insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, the so-called metabolic syndrome, heart disease. Hypertriglyceridemia can lead to atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, heart attack or stroke.
According to studies, the risk of death from coronary heart disease resulting from excess triglycerides is equal to or even greater than the risk arising from an increase in total cholesterol.
Significant excess fats (more than 500 mg / dl) can lead to inflammation and damage to the pancreas and liver. Hypertriglyceridemia also causes hypothyroidism, kidney disease (including nephrotic syndrome), and gout.
What does a decrease in triglycerides indicate?
Low triglyceride levels are generally associated with a decrease in dietary fat intake. However, at the time of diagnosis, doctors should also take into account other possible causes, such as hyperthyroidism, malabsorption, or malnutrition.
How to lower triglycerides?
The basis of a healthy lifestyle should be a restriction of carbohydrates and an increase in physical activity. Avoid foods that contain sugar; they increase triglycerides. Treatment involves the exclusion from the diet of alcohol, including red wine and beer, as they contribute to an increase in lipid levels. Choose natural products, coarse grains, eat a lot of vegetables and fruits. Try to avoid lard, fatty meat, butter, whole milk products. Replace animal fats with vegetable fats, keeping in mind that their total amount should not exceed 2 tablespoons per day. But at the same time, increase the intake of oily sea fish (mackerel, salmon, halibut). They contain unsaturated acids that lower triglycerides. The norm of "good" cholesterol in the blood with a constant intake of omega-fatty acids is stable.