Triglycerides are found in food – and in our blood. Values that are too high are a long-term risk and can promote cardiovascular diseases.
The most important things at a glance
Triglycerides, a form of fat, are found in almost all foods. Triglycerides provide the body with energy. Another dietary fat is cholesterol, which is needed to build cells and certain hormones.
Triglycerides are absorbed through the intestines and then stored in fatty tissue. When the body needs energy, they are released again. Triglycerides are often determined as a laboratory value.
What do high triglycerides mean?
Excessively high triglyceride levels in the blood can promote a number of diseases. These include cardiovascular diseases due to arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis). The doctor can determine the triglyceride value (TRG value) in the blood. If this laboratory value is too high, it is referred to as hypertriglyceridemia.
The cause can be a congenital lipid metabolism disorder, which is then referred to as primary hypertriglyceridemia. If the high values are the result of another disease, experts refer to this as secondary hypertriglyceridemia.
Illnesses and living conditions that can cause high triglyceride levels include:
- genetically determined hypertriglyceridemia
- Malnutrition
- diabetes
- Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)
- Abuse of alcohol
- Cushing’s syndrome (metabolic disorder with high cortisol levels)
- Medications (cortisone, thiazides, hormonal contraceptives)
- pregnancy
What is a good triglyceride level?
The normal range for triglycerides is still somewhat controversial. However, the values in the following table are now accepted by all medical societies.
Table: Standard values for triglycerides (in milligrams per deciliter)
| Meaning | Triglyceride levels |
|---|---|
| normal | up to 150 mg/dl |
| moderately increased | 150 to 1,000 mg/dl |
| greatly increased | from 1,000 mg/dl |
Elevated triglycerides in the blood initially do not cause any symptoms. They only become a problem when very high values are reached or when they are combined with certain risk factors. This includes:
How dangerous high triglyceride levels are must be assessed depending on the patient. The individual risk of cardiovascular disease and pancreatitis determines whether hypertriglyceridemia needs to be treated at all or, if necessary, even with medication.
Which foods increase triglyceride levels?
Animal foods in particular, such as high-fat sausages and meat products as well as fatty cheeses, contain large amounts of triglycerides, which are absorbed directly from food.
Excess sugar, on the other hand, is first converted into triglycerides in the body. Sugary foods such as sweets, sodas, ice cream, jam, jelly and sugar in canned fruit also increase triglyceride levels in the blood.
Sugar substitutes (e.g. fructose) and alcohol also have a negative effect on triglyceride levels.
What can you do about high triglyceride levels?
To lower triglyceride levels, it is important to make lifestyle changes. This means: reduce excess weight, limit alcohol consumption and – very importantly – change your diet. In particular, the consumption of products containing sugar should be largely restricted. Foods rich in fiber are better because they provide the body with long-term energy. These include, for example, fresh fruit, vegetables, legumes and whole grain products.
Not all fat is the same either. If you have high triglyceride levels, you should avoid animal fats and use high-quality vegetable fats and oils that have a high proportion of unsaturated fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids are able to lower triglyceride levels. Sea fish such as herring, salmon, tuna, sardines and mackerel contain particularly high amounts of them. If you have too many triglycerides in your blood, you can add fish to your diet more often.