Triglycerides are a type of fat in your blood that plays an important role in energy metabolism. High triglycerides increase your risk of cardiovascular disease, but the good news is they can be effectively lowered.
Normal values (fasting)
Below 1.7 mmol/L: normal. 1.7-2.2: borderline. 2.2-5.6: high. Above 5.6: very high (pancreatitis risk).
Causes of high triglycerides
Excessive sugar/refined carbohydrate intake, overweight, low physical activity, alcohol, type 2 diabetes, hypothyroidism and genetic predisposition.
How to lower triglycerides
Limit sugar and refined carbohydrates (fastest effect), reduce alcohol, eat more omega-3 (fatty fish, walnuts), exercise regularly (150+ min/week) and lose excess weight (5-10% loss can reduce triglycerides 20-30%).
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to fast?
Yes, 8-12 hours fasting is important for reliable measurement.
How quickly do triglycerides drop?
They respond relatively quickly. Improvement within 2-4 weeks is common with lifestyle changes.
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