Healthcore - What do triglyceride tests tell us?

A simple finger-stick test at your doctor's office can also give you important information about your triglyceride levels. More and more research is indicating that when these levels are elevated, there's is an increased risk of heart disease.

What are triglycerides?
Triglyceride is a big word describing fat. It's the form of fat in food and in your body tissue. A high-caloric intake, whether from fat or carbohydrates and proteins, can raise your triglyceride levels sky high. That's because the body, converts all excess calories into triglycerides and stores them as fat. The trouble with triglycerides, aside from adding weight to your waistline, is that they can cause plaque to build up in your arteries. This can lead to high blood pressure. A combination of high cholesterol and high triglyceride levels is common in people with severe heart disease.

What should your triglycerides be?
The normal level is less than 200 mg/dL. To keep your triglycerides in check: watch your weight; cut down on fat and cholesterol; exercise; eat fish that's high in omega-3 fatty acids like tuna and salmon; and just as important, limit your alcohol intake.

Need more information on health and wellness?
Click here for information on diet, nutrition and health resource books. Learn when to see the doctor and what causes symptoms.

Practice management services provided by The Health Group, Dallas, Texas.