What Raises Triglyceride Levels?
Triglycerides are blood lipid components that can be synthesized from the foods you eat. However, there is a limit to the amount of triglycerides that your body can store and anything in excess could harm you.
Several factors, including health status and habits, affect your triglyceride levels. Higher levels of triglycerides are associated with abnormal body conditions and may differ in every individual.
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Definition
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The triglycerides are excess fats that are stored in specialized cell compartments called adipocytes. These stored fats are then used in the production of energy, when the cells lack glucose.
Significance
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At normal levels, triglycerides contribute to good health by functioning in vital cellular processes like ATP generation, which is the preferred energy source of muscle and brain cells.
However, one of the risk factors of cardiovascular disease, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, "...is a triglyceride level of 150 mg/dL or higher..."
It is important to be aware of your triglyceride level and the factors that may affect it. For instance, if your triglyceride level is 155 mg/dL and your family has a medical history of obesity, you should seek a dietitian's help to plan a low-fat diet to control your triglyceride level. -
Physiologic Activities
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Physiologic activities are the things you perform daily, such as driving, exercising and walking. These activities require energy and thus, affect your triglyceride levels. For instance, if your job requires sitting in front of the computer for eight hours straight, you are prone elevated triglyceride level because of low physical activity.
Habits are also a part of your physiologic activities; bad habits such as smoking contribute to elevated levels of triglycerides.
Dietary Intake
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Diet is perhaps the most apparent contributing factor in triglyceride levels. The excessive intake of sugar and starchy or caloric foods directly raises triglycerides. Similarly, foods high in cholesterol and saturated fats, such as butter and oils, elevate triglyceride levels.
Alcohol intake, as stated in a newsletter from the Harvard Women's Health Watch, significantly raises the triglyceride level even when consumed in small amounts.
Health Factors
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Health conditions may increase or decrease your triglyceride levels. Kidney related diseases and obesity are among the common conditions that raises triglycerides.
Certain medicines, according to the Healthwise Information, "... may also raise triglycerides. These medicines include tamoxifen, steroids, beta-blockers, diuretics, estrogen and birth control pills."
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