We often hear about the risks associated with the accumulation of triglycerides in the body, due to their relationship with many serious diseases, which necessitates the importance of conducting a triglyceride analysis and adhering to a balanced diet. What are triglycerides? What are the symptoms of high levels in the body? And how can this condition be treated? In addition, how do triglycerides spread in the body, and where can they be found? Learn in Dalili Medical and what are their normal levels in the human body?

What is the relationship between obesity and high blood fat levels?

 

Obesity contributes to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, as a result of eating foods rich in unhealthy fats, which may also lead to high levels of triglycerides and harmful cholesterol.

Do blood fats affect the ability to conceive?

 

Although high blood fat levels do not completely prevent pregnancy, they may negatively affect fertility in some cases, which may require couples longer to achieve pregnancy. This is what a study conducted by researchers from the National Institutes of Health, the University of Buffalo (New York) and Emory University in Atlanta showed.

Do fats increase blood sugar levels?

 

High blood glucose levels (such as diabetes) can lead to increased blood fats, not the other way around.

Are blood fats dangerous?

 

High blood fat levels, if left untreated, can increase the risk of serious diseases, such as heart disease, heart attacks, strokes, and clots.

What are cholesterol and triglycerides?

 

Cholesterol is an essential substance found in the blood, playing an important role in building cells and producing hormones. However, high levels of cholesterol, especially bad cholesterol (LDL), can lead to a buildup of fat in the arteries, increasing the risk of heart disease. Triglycerides are a type of fat found in the blood, and are the result of excess calories that the body does not use immediately.

What are normal triglyceride levels?

 

It is preferable for triglyceride levels in normal cases to be less than 150 mg/dL, which is equivalent to less than 1.7 mmol per liter, to avoid the appearance of annoying symptoms related to cholesterol and triglycerides.

**Types of blood fats:**

High blood fat levels are known as "hyperlipidemia" or "dyslipidemia", and the types of blood fats include the following:

**Cholesterol:**There are two types of cholesterol in the blood. The first is low-density lipoprotein (LDL), known as bad cholesterol, and the second is high-density lipoprotein (HDL), known as good cholesterol.

- **Low-density lipoprotein (LDL):** Plays a role in transporting cholesterol produced in the liver to cells, where it is used to build membranes and produce some hormones, vitamin D, and bile. The body can also absorb bad cholesterol from foods rich in fat, such as red meat and dairy products.

The accumulation of harmful cholesterol and fats in the arteries can lead to blockage, which increases the risk of heart disease, heart attacks and strokes.

- **High-density lipoprotein (HDL):** Known as good cholesterol, it has a protective effect on the heart. It helps transport harmful cholesterol from cells to the liver for disposal, and prevents the accumulation of fats and cholesterol on the walls of the arteries.

**Triglycerides:** Triglycerides are another type of fat found in the blood, as the body absorbs them from foods rich in fats, and can also produce them by converting excess calories into fat for storage.

Triglycerides are essential for the body, as they contribute to building cell membranes and producing some hormones. However, excessive consumption and high levels in the blood are unhealthy and may increase the risk of heart disease.

**Why are high triglycerides dangerous?**

 

High triglyceride levels are dangerous because they increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis, stroke, heart attack, metabolic syndrome (which includes high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity), and other health problems. But don't worry; eating a healthy diet and using medications prescribed by your doctor when needed are often enough to bring your triglyceride levels back to normal.

**- Does high triglycerides cause dizziness?**

 

High triglycerides usually don't cause dizziness, but in severe cases, they can increase your risk of heart disease and narrow your arteries, leading to reduced blood flow, which can be accompanied by symptoms such as dizziness and shortness of breath.

**- Are triglycerides the same as cholesterol?**

 

No, triglycerides and cholesterol are two different types of fats in the blood. However, high levels of triglycerides or LDL cholesterol, or both, increase your risk of cardiovascular disease.

How do triglycerides spread in the blood?

 

Pure cholesterol cannot dissolve in the blood, so the liver binds cholesterol to triglycerides and proteins known as lipoproteins. These proteins transport the fatty compound to different parts of the body.

Types of lipoproteins include very low-density lipoproteins (VLDLs) and high-density lipoproteins (HDLs), which are considered good, in addition to low-density lipoproteins (LDLs), which contain larger amounts of cholesterol and are considered bad.

**Harms of triglycerides**

Despite the benefits that triglycerides provide to the body, excessive amounts of them can lead to adverse results.

The accumulation of these fats on the walls ofBlood vessels can have significant negative effects on an individual's health, as it may lead to a range of health problems, including:

- Blood clots and high blood pressure.

- Strokes.

- Heart attacks and other chronic diseases.

In rare cases, very high triglyceride levels may be accompanied by symptoms. High triglycerides are usually asymptomatic until they reach very high levels, which rarely occur (more than 1000-2000 mg/dL).

You can realize how high these values ​​are, as they are about 10 times higher than normal values, as they should be less than 150 mg/dL. (9) The most prominent symptoms associated with this are the following:

● The appearance of yellow fatty bumps around the eyes and under the skin.

● Pain in the upper abdomen, which may extend to the back, and may be accompanied by nausea and vomiting, which are symptoms resulting from pancreatitis.

● The appearance of a gray-white ring around the cornea of ​​the eye.

What is the difference between triglycerides and cholesterol?

 

Triglycerides and cholesterol, both good and bad, are types of fats or lipids found in the body. Their levels in the blood can be detected by performing a lipid test. Here is a summary of the most important differences between triglycerides and cholesterol:

- Both triglycerides and cholesterol are produced in the body by the liver.

- The body gets cholesterol mainly from the diet, especially from fatty foods that contain saturated fats, such as butter and meat. While triglycerides often come from excess calories that the body does not need, as the body converts them into saturated fats that are stored for later use.

- Triglycerides in the blood and tissues provide the energy needed for cells to perform their vital functions, while cholesterol is essential for the formation of cells and hormones, including reproductive hormones, and contributes to the production of bile.

**Symptoms of high cholesterol and triglycerides**

It is important to know that the symptoms of high cholesterol and triglycerides may not always be clear, and are often first discovered through a routine blood test. However, there are some signs that may indicate a problem.

**Symptoms of high cholesterol in women:** These may include unexplained fatigue, shortness of breath, and chest pain. Women typically have higher levels of good cholesterol (HDL) than men, but after menopause, these levels may decrease, increasing the risk of high LDL cholesterol.

**Symptoms of high cholesterol in men:** In addition to chest pain and shortness of breath, men may experience erectile dysfunction, which can be an early sign of circulatory problems due to high cholesterol levels.

**Psychological symptoms of high cholesterol:** Some studies suggest that high cholesterol may affect psychological state, leading to anxiety, depression, and even changes in behavior. This is due to the role of cholesterol in the production of hormones and chemicals in the brain.

Symptoms of high cholesterol on the skin: One of the most prominent skin signs associated with high cholesterol levels is the appearance of soft yellow lumps known as xanthelasmas, which may appear around the eyes or in the joints of the body. These lumps are caused by the accumulation of fat under the skin.

Symptoms of high bad cholesterol: Symptoms associated with high bad cholesterol may include constant fatigue, pain in the legs while walking, and cold extremities, due to poor blood flow.

When should I have a triglyceride test?

 

It is recommended that healthy adults have a triglyceride and cholesterol test every 4 to 6 years. However, if there are factors that increase the likelihood of high triglycerides, the test should be performed at least once a year, or more frequently based on the doctor's recommendation. These factors include:

- Smoking.

- Obesity.

- Eating an unhealthy diet and lack of physical activity.

- Having certain diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure.

- Having a personal or family history of high cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

- Having a personal or family history of heart disease or stroke.

**When should I have a triglyceride test?**

 

A triglyceride test is an essential part of regular checkups, as it is done by analyzing the lipid profile.

If the patient is receiving treatment for high cholesterol or triglyceride levels, the doctor will perform this test to assess the effectiveness of the treatment.

The frequency of this test is affected by several factors, including age, gender, and risk of heart disease.

The test can be performed according to age as follows:

**From two to nineteen years old:**This test is performed starting at the age of nine years, and can be repeated every five years. If there is a family history of high cholesterol, heart attacks, strokes, or other heart diseases, it is preferable to perform the test at an earlier age, starting at two years.

**Ages twenty years and older:**

The tests are performed as follows:

- Every five years for males between the ages of 20 and 45.

- Every five years for females between the ages of 20 and 55

The following groups are recommended to perform tests every one to two years:

- Males aged 45 or older.

- Females aged 55 or older.

- Adults over 65 years of age, where screening is recommended annually.

Individuals may need screening more frequently if they are at risk for heart disease, such as:

- Having a family history of early heart disease, where a parent or sibling developed heart disease before age 55 for males and before age 65 for females.

**Normal triglyceride levels**

A blood test can determineDetermine whether your triglyceride levels are within the healthy range, as follows:

- **Normal:** Less than 150 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or less than 1.7 millimoles per liter (mmol/L).

- **Borderline high:** 150 to 199 mg/dL (1.8 to 2.2 mmol/L).

- **High:** 200 to 499 mg/dL (2.3 to 5.6 mmol/L).

- **Very high:** 500 mg/dL or more (5.7 mmol/L or more).

### . General symptoms of high triglycerides

High triglycerides usually do not cause symptoms unless they are very high, that is, when triglyceride levels are between 1,000 and 2,000 mg/dL.

In this case, complications of high triglycerides begin to appear, the most prominent of which is pancreatitis, which is accompanied by the following symptoms:

- Recurrent bouts of pancreatitis.

- Severe abdominal pain.

- Feeling nauseous.

- Worsening symptoms of cardiovascular diseases.

- Angina.

- Difficulty breathing.

- Irregular heartbeat.

As for people with moderately high triglycerides, they may not show any symptoms for long periods, until they develop pancreatitis and cardiovascular diseases.

**. Acute symptoms of high triglyceride levels**

 

It is important to note that levels exceeding 5000 mg/dL can affect other organs of the body, which may lead to the following:

- Enlargement of the liver and spleen.

- The appearance of eruptive xanthomas, which are small, painless nodules that form on the trunk, buttocks, and thighs.

- Nodules that appear on the elbows and knees.

- Yellowing of the palms of the hands.

- Xanthelasmas on the eyelid.

- Opacity of the cornea.

- Acute pancreatitis, accompanied by fever, vomiting, increased heart rate, loss of appetite, and pain extending from the stomach to the back.

- Neurological symptoms including depression, memory loss, and dementia.

- Small fatty deposits under the skin.

It should be noted that these severe symptoms are not rare, and often appear in the case of high triglycerides in conjunction with rare genetic disorders.

**Prevention of high triglycerides**

Some modifications to the diet and lifestyle can contribute to reducing triglyceride levels. To keep triglycerides and total cholesterol within healthy limits, it is recommended to follow the following guidelines:

- Exercise for at least 30 minutes daily.

- Follow a heart-healthy diet that includes reducing unhealthy fats and simple sugars and increasing fiber.

- Control blood pressure and diabetes levels.

- Get enough sleep.

- Lose weight if necessary and maintain a healthy weight.

- Effectively manage stress.

- Quit smoking

**How ​​to avoid symptoms of cholesterol and triglycerides**

 

Prevention is always better than cure, so we can all avoid symptoms of cholesterol and triglycerides by following these tips:

- Exercise for at least half an hour a day.

- Stay away from all products that contain tobacco, as they increase the risk of high cholesterol levels.

- Maintain an ideal weight on an ongoing basis.

- Increase your intake of foods rich in fiber, as they act as an alternative to statin medications and help lower cholesterol levels when they are high, as fiber is like a "fibrous sponge" that absorbs fat while washing dishes, reflecting the relationship between fiber and fat in the body.

- Always replace white flour with wheat flour.

- Be sure to eat fish as an alternative to red meat, due to its low fat content compared to red meat

**Treatment of blood fats with herbs**

We will review below some herbs that can contribute to the treatment of blood triglycerides:

**Celery:** Celery is rich in antioxidants, which helps reduce levels of total and harmful cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood and liver.

**Fenugreek:** Fenugreek contributes to reducing levels of total and harmful cholesterol and triglycerides, and also works to increase levels of good cholesterol. This is due to its content of steroidal saponins, which contribute to slowing the absorption of cholesterol in the intestines.

**Ginger:** Studies conducted in 2008 and 2014 showed that ginger helps reduce levels of harmful cholesterol and triglycerides, in addition to enhancing levels of good cholesterol in the blood.

**Ginseng:** Ginseng helps reduce levels of triglycerides and cholesterol in the blood, especially in people with diabetes.

**Turmeric:** Research conducted on some animals has shown that turmeric contributes to reducing levels of total and harmful cholesterol and triglycerides, thanks to its curcumin content.

Dandelion: Some medical studies have shown that dandelion leaves and roots help reduce levels of harmful cholesterol, triglycerides and total cholesterol in the blood, but these studies were limited to animals and have not yet been conducted on humans.

Holy Basil: Eugenol oil found in holy basil helps reduce levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides and harmful cholesterol in the blood, and increases levels of good cholesterol in the blood.

**Drinks that help reduce triglycerides:**

There are some juices and drinks that can help reduce levels of triglycerides in the blood, including:

**Blueberry juice:**Wild blueberries are characterized by the presence of compounds and antioxidants such as anthocyanins, which contribute to reducing levels of harmful cholesterol and protect good cholesterol from oxidation. The fibers in it may also help reduce the level of harmful cholesterol.

**Green tea:** Some studies have shown that it may help reduce the risk of developing certain types of cancer.Laboratory and animal studies show that green tea can reduce levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, and bad cholesterol in the blood, thanks to its antioxidants and flavonoids.

**Red grape juice:** Grapes contain a compound known as resveratrol, an antioxidant that helps reduce levels of bad cholesterol, total cholesterol, and triglycerides in the blood.