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Fat (lipid) is in the form of triglycerides that is in your blood. Surplus calories, particularly sugary and refined carbohydrates are converted in your body to triglycerides and stored in the fat cells to be used up later. Although certain triglycerides are normal and required, a consistent high level (totally 150 mg/dL as well as above all times greater than 200mg/dl) is currently noted as a risk factor of its own leading to severe health issues.

Significant Dangers of High Triglycerides to health.

1. Heart Disease & Stroke

Large quantities of triglycerides help to harden and thicken the walls of the arteries (atherosclerosis). In the presence of low levels of HDL or the good cholesterol or high levels of LDL or the bad cholesterol, the probability of heart attack and stroke is more likely to happen, some times even more than high LDL alone.

2. Pancreatitis

Very rich (>500 mg/dL, particularly >1,000 mg/dL) levels may cause acute pancreatitis- a painful, potentially fatal, inflammation of the pancreas.

3. Metabolic Syndrome

Among the five important markers of metabolic syndrome, high levels of triglycerides are among with abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and low HDL. This group causes a tremendous amount of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

4. Fatty Liver Disease

Unspent triglycerides tend to deposit in the liver and cause non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) that further progress into inflammation (NASH) and cirrhosis.

Usual reasons of increasing levels in India.

• Increased carbs consumption (refined carb(white rice), maida, sweet items, sweet drinks).
• Rapid intoxication of alcohol (even moderate the levels can increase)
• Lazy living and obesity of the abdomen.
• Uncontrolled diabetes
• Some diuretics, steroids, beta-blockers, etc.
• Genetics Meiler and his father Knopol are both heterozygous carriers of familial hypertriglyceridemia.

Real-life Prevention and Management Recommendations.

1. Reduce processed carbohydrates and added sugar → Substitute the white rice/roti with brown rice, millets (jowar, bajra, ragi), whole grains, and roots rich in fibre. restrict fries, desserts, candies.
2. Use healthy fats → Eat fatty foods with omega-3 (fatty fish such as rohu, katla, mackerel, sardines, flaxseeds, walnuts, chia seeds). Moderate use should be used of mustard/groundnut/olive oil.
3. Eat well and produce more energy as exercise increases vigor, skill, and fitness; become used to this kind of routine 150 minutes daily of moderate exercise (brisk walking, cycling, swimming) and strength training 2-3 times a week. Triglycerides are reduced by 2030cm exercise.
4. Lose 5-10 percent body mass fat → Severe weight loss especially when small amounts of weight are lost.
5. Reduce alcohol consumption → Better to discourage it in the event that it is high.
6. Stop smoking > Smoking increases lipid profile and heart risk.
7. Watch and manage other conditions related to it → check the blood sugar level and blood pressure.
8. Take into account supplements/medicines Preferably only under the doctor’s supervision: Omega-3 fish oil, fibrates, statins or niacin.

When to See a Doctor

Tested in case of diabetes, overweight, or family history of cardiovascular disease or such apparent symptoms as frequent fatigue, pain in the abdomen, or yellow spots on the skin.

Increasing triglycerides can be silent until it is too late- they are very reversible with regular adjustments in lifestyles. Little everyday decisions can take care of your heart and pancreas a few decades later.