You might be wondering “what are triglycerides and how do I know if mine are too high?”
Triglycerides are a type of fat found in our blood that our bodies use for energy. Having a healthy number of triglycerides can be very beneficial in maintaining good health; however, when your triglyceride levels get too high, your health may be at risk.
“What kind of risk are we talking about?”
Your triglycerides are measured through simple blood testing…. A count of 150 and lower has been commonly referred to as a “normal” level amount. If you fall in between 200 and 500, your levels are commonly referred to as “high or very high”. It’s at this level that your body becomes more vulnerable to increased risk of metabolic syndrome (combination of high blood pressure, high blood sugar, too much fat around the waist, and high triglycerides) and heart disease. Regularly consuming more calories than you burn, consuming a lot of alcohol, and poorly-managed diabetes are a few of the causes of high triglyceride levels.
“How can I lower my levels and reduce my risk of heart disease?”
Here are a few ways that may QUICKLY lower your triglyceride levels:
1. Cut sweets from your diet – sugars are typically unneeded calories that are converted into triglycerides for storage in the body. Cutting down on sugars will have a direct effect on the number of triglycerides you consume daily.
2. Reduce your refined carbohydrates – simply eating whole grain carbs over white flour products could be very beneficial. Consuming less carbs while increasing the amount of protein you eat could help lower your blood sugar levels as proteins absorb into the bloodstream much slower than carbs do.
3. Consume plant-based foods – if you select the protein in your diet from plant-based sources (rather than red meat) you may find your cholesterol and triglyceride levels quickly decreasing.
If you are over the age of 18, have high triglyceride levels and feel like you’re out of options, a new 12-week research study at FMC Science may be an option for you. If you qualify for this study, all participants will be seen by a board certified physician; get paid for time & travel; all study medication, exams & tests will be paid at no cost to you-NO OUT OF POCKET COSTS! No insurance is required to participate! To learn more call FMC Science at 512-556-4130 or click below.
Click to learn more about this study opportunity.
