Triglycerides as it relates to cholesterol and diabetes health!

What are considered triglycerides?

Triglycerides are other forms of blood lipids or fats that in healthy amounts, are an excellent source of energy for our bodies. However if you have diabetes , you have to monitor your levels of this type of blood fat so that you avoid any unnecessary risks that can cause coronary heart disease.

Glycerides are the most common form of fats found in the human body. When foods are consumed by our bodies, diabetics or not, the calories are extracted and used as an immediate source of energy for our cells.

Hence as a diabetic, if you consume too much food at one given time, the extra calories will be converted into this fatty substance. They are then stored in the fat cells of your body for later use.

If you have been diagnosed with diabetes , you must remember that the excess fats from foods will be stored as extra fat regardless of what type of foods you consumed.

Therefore, for you to avoid dangerously high levels of these blood lipids, as a diabetic you should take in less calories all the time. This will also help you to lose or maintain a healthy weight. For us to maintain healthy bodily functions, our bodies need a certain amount of essential fats.

In other words, if the fatty substance in our bodies is at a normal level, then it is healthy for us and there is no need for concern. However if the levels are too high, along with high LDL (the bad cholesterol), chances are that you as a diabetic individual could be at a greater risk for developing coronary heart disease.

Consequences of high triglycerides

When your level your these blood lipids is too high, it can contribute to a group of conditions called the metabolic syndrome. The various conditions that form this group or syndrome include...

Increase blood pressure.
• Increased blood glucose (sugar).
• Increased weight gain.
• Low HDL (the good cholesterol).
• High triglycerides levels.

These conditions put us at greater risks for developing type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, and strokes. Triglycerides and cholesterol are measured together through a blood test that is used to determined the total amount of fatty substances present in the blood.

Measuring your level of blood lipids

A normal level for the total amount of blood fats in diabetes patients should be under 150. When your readings are above 200, it is considered too high.

Good cholesterol is used by the our bodies to help us in the building of new cells and the production of needed hormones. However to much of the bad cholesterol (LDL) in the our blood can lead to a build up of plaque in our arteries.

This is a major problem for us that have diabetes because it causes narrowing and hardening of the arteries and it increases our chances for having a stroke or heart attack.

Risk factors that caused high blood lipids

There are certain factors that caused high levels of triglycerides. Some of these factors that we have to take notice of include...

• Obesity.
• Poor diabetes management.
• A thyroid gland that is under productive.
• Kidney disease.
• Consuming more calories than what is used.

Medications that can cause high levels of triglycerides

There are certain medications that have been known to also contribute the development of high levels of this fatty substance. These medications include...

• Tamoxifen.
• Steriods.
• Beta-Blockers.
• Certain Diuretics.
• Estrogen.
• Birth control pills (women).

If you drink, then you have to be very careful because high levels of this type of blood lipid can also be linked to high alcohol consumption. However if you can, avoid the consumption of alcohol all together.

Symptoms of high triglycerides

There are usually no symptoms associated with high levels of these blood lipids. But if you have relatives in your family that have had this condition, there may be visible signs of the condition in the form of fatty deposits under their skin.

These fatty deposits are known medically as Xanthomas. There are rare cases where inflammation of the pancreas, other wise known as Pancreatitis can occur. Signs of this condition are often very sudden and can include the following...

• Severe abdominal pains.
• Loss of your appetite.
• Nausea.
• Vomiting.
• Fever.

Treating high triglycerides levels

Treatment for your high triglycerides should begin with a good healthy diet. One that contains less fat, rich in fiber, and rich in fruits and vegetables. As an extra benefit, you should also increase your level of physical activities.

However, if the advice given above is not enough to cause a reduction in your levels by themselves, then your doctor may have to include the drug Statins as part of your treatment.

This medication is commonly prescribed by doctors as a form of treatment for high LDL (bad cholesterol). Subsequently, drugs such as Nicotinic Acids and Fibrates work much better in the treatment of this health problem.

As diabetics and non-diabetics, we have to realize that with our illness, our levels of blood lipids can not remain at high levels. High levels of LDL (bad cholesterol) along with high levels of glycerides, will prompt our doctors to prescribe a treatment that can consists of a combination of both Statin and Fibrate.

This is their attempt in helping us bring them down more quickly. Your physician will decide on the best possible treatment for you to used so that you don't encounter other health problems, due to high levels of triglycerides.

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Triglycerides testing are normally a apart of a diabetes test!

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