What causes high triglycerides and how to prevent them
Triglycerides: Why Are They Important? Triglycerides are an important measure of heart health. Here’s why triglycerides matter and what to do if your levels are too high. If you’ve been monitoring your blood pressure and cholesterol, there’s something else you may need to keep track of: your triglycerides. Having high triglyceride levels in the blood can increase the risk of heart disease. But the same lifestyle choices that promote overall health can also help lower triglycerides. What Are Triglycerides? Triglycerides are a type of fat (lipid) found in the blood. When you eat, your body converts calories it doesn’t need right away into triglycerides. These are stored in fat cells. Later, hormones release triglycerides for energy between meals. If you regularly consume more calories than you burn—especially from carbohydrate‑rich foods (sugars and refined flours)—you may develop high triglycerides (hypertriglyceridemia). What Is Considered Normal? A simple blood test can r...