Triglycerides

Triglycerides are a common type of fat that accounts for about 95 per cent of all dietary fats. Both animal and vegetable fats contain triglycerides. Once digested, triglycerides circulate in the bloodstream to be used as energy by the cells. Any leftovers are stored in body fat to fuel the body between meals.

If you regularly eat more kilojoules than you burn, you will be overweight or obese and have raised triglyceride levels circulating in your blood. High blood triglycerides are linked with an increased risk of health conditions including heart disease. High triglycerides are also known as hypertriglyceridemia.

Metabolic syndrome – risk factors
High triglyceride levels are associated with a collection of disorders known as ‘metabolic syndrome’. A person with metabolic syndrome has an increased risk of developing diabetes, stroke or heart disease.

A person is classed as having metabolic syndrome when they have excess abdominal fat and at least two of the following factors:

• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Higher than normal blood glucose levels (but not high enough to qualify as type 2 diabetes)
• High blood cholesterol
• High blood triglycerides.

• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Adverse side effect of particular medications
• Poorly managed diabetes
• Hypothyroidism (insufficient production of thyroid hormones)
• Some types of liver disease
• Some types of kidney disease
• Some genetic disorders, including the inherited disease familial hypertriglyceridemia.

• Very high – 500mg/dL or over
• High – between 200mg/dL and 499mg/dL
• Borderline high – between 150mg/dL and 199mg/dL
• Normal – below 150mg/dL.

• Exercise for at least 30 minutes every day.
• Eat less, particularly high fat foods.
• Increase the amount of fibre in your diet.
• Avoid high sugar foods such as lollies. A large hit of sugar prompts a flood of insulin, which can raise triglyceride levels in the blood. Choose foods with a low glycaemic index (GI) such as legumes and wholegrain products.
• Avoid foods that contain cholesterol like egg yolks, shellfish and offal.
• Choose healthy cooking oils such as canola or olive oil.
• Cut back on saturated fats – for example, eat less red meat.
• Eat more fish. Choose fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon, mackerel, tuna and trout. Omega-3 is thought to help stabilise triglyceride levels.
• Cut back on alcohol. The kilojoules and sugar in alcoholic drinks can raise triglyceride levels.
• Lose excess body fat using a combination of healthy eating and regular exercise.
• Don’t smoke.
• Manage coexisting health conditions such as diabetes or hypertension effectively.

• Always take prescription medications exactly as instructed.
• See your doctor if you are having side effects from the medication. Known medication side effects may include indigestion, diarrhoea, fever or muscle problems.
• Don’t assume that medications will somehow overcome the hazards of an unhealthy lifestyle. A healthy diet, regular exercise and maintaining an appropriate weight for your height are the most important management strategies for high triglycerides.

• Your doctor
• An accredited practising dietitian, contact the Dietitians Association of Australia Tel. 1800 812 942
• Cardiovascular specialist (your doctor can refer you)

• About 95 per cent of all dietary fats are triglycerides.
• Once digested, triglycerides circulate in the bloodstream to be used as energy by the cells.
• If you habitually eat more kilojoules than you burn, you will have raised triglyceride levels in the blood. This is linked with an increased risk of health conditions including heart disease.
• Lifestyle choices can keep triglyceride levels within the normal range. Aim to exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet and maintain an appropriate weight.

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