The Federal Centre for Health Education stated that triglycerides are a type of fat present in the blood that provides energy to the body, noting that most triglycerides are absorbed from dietary fats, but the body can also produce triglycerides on its own.
The German center added that if a lot of triglycerides are consumed, the body stores them in adipose tissue, which poses health risks since elevated levels of these fats in the body increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.
There are several factors that increase triglyceride levels in the blood, such as obesity, lack of exercise, a high-calorie diet, poor management of diabetes, thyroid gland inactivity, kidney diseases, smoking, and alcohol consumption. Certain medications, like steroids and birth control pills, can also raise triglyceride levels.
Elevated triglyceride levels can be reduced through healthy nutrition, which includes reducing sugar intake, avoiding ready-made and frozen foods due to their harmful trans fats, lowering saturated fats found in red meat, poultry, cheese, and milk, and consuming healthy unsaturated fats present in olive oil and various nut oils. Additionally, maintaining regular physical activity, quitting smoking, and avoiding alcohol are recommended.
