Triglycerides are a type of fat (lipid) found in blood. They are stored in fat cells for later use and are a major energy source. When you eat, your body converts any calories it doesnt need to use right away into triglycerides, which are stored in your fat cells. Later, hormones release triglycerides for energy between meals. If you regularly eat more calories than you burn, particularly from high-carbohydrate foods, you may have high triglycerides (hypertriglyceridemia) . Some of the common causes and risk factors for high blood triglycerides include:
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Obesity: Being overweight or obese is a significant risk factor for high triglycerides.
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Unhealthy diet: Eating too much unhealthy food, such as refined carbohydrates (like white bread) or sugars, can raise triglyceride levels.
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Alcohol consumption: Drinking too much alcohol can also cause high triglycerides.
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Medical conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as poorly controlled diabetes, hypothyroidism, kidney disease, and liver disease, can raise triglyceride levels.
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Genetics: Inherited conditions, such as familial hypertriglyceridemia, can cause high triglycerides.
It's important to note that high triglycerides are often a sign of other conditions that increase the risk of heart disease and stroke, including obesity and metabolic syndrome. Therefore, it's essential to manage high triglyceride levels to reduce the risk of developing these conditions. Some of the ways to lower triglycerides include losing weight, eating fewer calories, avoiding fats and sugar, limiting alcohol intake, and exercising regularly.
