|
Diabetics InformationWhat’s Up With My Triglycerides?
by:
Greg Post
Possibly it is because I am acquiring older that I think cartoons are not what they used to be. I have five young children, all boys. Like any concerned parent I govern what they watch. I have found that several of the most damaging shows on television are actually the cartoons because of the values, or lack of them, that they teach.
Fortunately several of the classics are still around. My favorite has always been that wascally wabbit Bugs Bunny and his trademark expression, “What’s up, Doc?” Unfortunately, for galore of us the answer to the question, “What’s up, Doc?” is, “Your triglycerides.” Triglycerides are becoming progressively important in heart health matters. In fact in the ‘Third Report of the National Cholesterin Education Program (NCEP)’, lipid testing is suggested as part of a complete cholesterin profile. In another words, it is suggested that doctors measure high cholesterin treatments in respect to a patient’s lipid levels.
So what’s up with triglycerides? Or possibly we should phrase the question this way, “Why are my triglycerides so high?” If high triglycerides are actually a serious health concern (and they are) then we are wise to be concerned if ours are high. Of course your doctor is the one to isolate the particular cause or causes of your elevated lipid levels. Or possibly you do not have high triglycerides and are concerned to support things that way. Either way let’s consider several of the things that influence lipid levels.
I enjoy backing into a subject so let’s begin with several causes that are not so common. The 1st grouping can be classified as medical conditions. These would-be include but are not limited to the following:
Hypothyroidism is one such condition. It occurs once
the thyroid makes not properly control metabolism consequent in fatigue, weakness, weight gain, cold intolerance as well as galore another uncomfortable symptoms. It besides tends to raise triglycerides.
Nephrotic syndrome is a serious excretory organ illness characterised by high levels of macromolecule in the piss and low levels of macromolecule in the blood. It besides produces swelling about the eyes, feet and hands due to the retention of fluids. In addition to raising triglycerides it can besides raise LDL cholesterin which is tied to coronary heart disease.
Several liver diseases can negatively affect lipid levels. One particular liver condition, acknowledged as fatty liver, involves the overrun and accumulation of triglycerides and another fats in liver cells. Severe cases can result in liver cell death.
Familial hypertriglyceridemia refers to a group of rare genetic disorders consequent in high lipid levels. It occurs once
the lever produces too more lipid and in severe cases can cause lipid levels in excess of 1,000 mg/dL and inflammation (acute or chronic inflammation of the pancreas).
Pregnancy is a not so rare medical condition that causes triglycerides to rise temporarily (usually in the third trimester). The preventive cure for pregnancy, abstinence, is promptly accessible but must folk find it a difficult pill to swallow.
Closely related to medical conditions are the medications we take to cure them. Several medications can negatively affect LDL and HDL cholesterols as well as triglycerides. Normally once
a patient stops taking the medication his lipid levels return to what they were before taking the medication. If you are taking prescribed medicines ask your doctor if they can negatively affect cholesterin and triglycerides.
So more for the less common causes of elevated triglycerides. But now it is time to consider those causes which are normally to blame for our unhealthy condition. It is a short list beginning with diabetes.
Of course polygenic disorder is a serious illness in galore respects. In relation to heart illness it is treated as a risk factor equal to that of person who has documented coronary heart disease. Persons with polygenic disorder who experience a cardiac muscle infarct (heart attack) have an remarkably high death rate in either the short or long term. Therefore diabetics need to be really aggressive in lowering triglycerides and LDL cholesterol.
Obesity is next on the list for the most common causes of high triglycerides. Triglycerides are the primary fat in our bodies, the main constituent in our energy system. Folk who are overweight tend to have more higher levels of these fats. They besides have higher LDL cholesterin levels which are possibly even as more serious.
It would-be not be appropriate to assume that fleshiness has the same cause in every case. There are galore conditions (like hypothyroidism) which can attribute to uncontrollable weight gain. These conditions are on the far side
our present topic. But I do have to ask this question: Why is fleshiness on the increase? The United States is becoming fatter. I think most of us suspect that changes in life style habits are the primary contributors to the increase in obesity.
At this point our subject matter takes a turn. The causes we have already discussed are in galore cases on the far side
our control (pregnancy being an obvious exception). Diabetics do not choose to be diabetics. But interestingly enough as we approach the most common cause of rising triglycerides we find ourselves in territory wherever
we do have control. Several causes of fleshiness are difficult to control. Several are not. These latter causes merit our focus precisely because we can do thing
just about them. We can get more exercise. It may not be easy or convenient but we can do thing
just about our lethargy. We don’t get enough exercise because we choose not to. Lack of exercise attributes to lipid buildup and obesity. In short, we often have high triglycerides because we choose to.
And now we have arrived at the most common cause of elevated triglycerides. And it is besides the most controllable. Drum roll please….it is diet. They say you are what you eat. I hope that is not true. I love catfish and it is a bottom feeder. But in respect to health it is often a true statement. Your diet dramatically affects your health. This is most assuredly true once
it comes to triglycerides. Our bodies several take in triglycerides once
we eat and manufacture triglycerides from the things we eat. That is how we do energy. But diets high in certain foods and low in others cause the body to create and store excessive amounts of triglycerides. Top on the list is sugar. Simple sugar is easily born-again into triglycerides. We were ne'er
created to consume the large amounts of processed sugar that have become commonplace in our culture. Another simple carbohydrates besides function like sugar. To reduce your triglycerides stay away from simple sugar and carbohydrates and their caressing cousin, alcohol. Complex carbohydrates like whole grains are another matter. They convert to triglycerides more much slowly.
Since triglycerides are fats, a diet high in fat is besides a bad idea. But once
I mention fats I have in mind mostly saturated fats and of course thing
that contains trans-fats. Several fats however should be consumed in large amounts in order to reduce triglycerides. These are unsaturated
fats especially omega-3. Omega-3 (particularly from fish sources) is well documented to dramatically lower triglycerides. In fact the American Heart Association recommends 2 to 4 grams of omega-3 from DHA plus EPA every day for those trying to reduce triglycerides. That requires feeding a whole lot of cold water fatty fish. You can besides buy quality fish oil supplements. But buy from a sure source to guarantee that you are acquiring what you are paying for and nothing more, such as mercury.
So what’s up with triglycerides? Now you know. The main thing that is up with triglycerides is poor dieting. Fortuitously this is inside
our control. We can be healthier if we choose to be. It just takes a little awareness and a whole lot of discipline. So the next time you say, “What’s up, doc?” possibly the response wish not be, “Your triglycerides.” Possibly it wish be, “Your health scores.”
For more information on the causes of high triglycerides and the diets that help reduce them use the links below.
www.optimal-heart-health.com/causesofhightriglycerides.html
www.optimal-heart-health.com/foodtolowertriglyceride.html
Just just about the author:
Greg has degrees in science, divinity and philosophy and is presently
an I.T. developer.
Circulated by Article Emporium
| |
