Causes of High Triglycerides

Triglycerides are the main energy source of the body. Excess calories that are consumed from the fats and carbohydrates in food are stored as triglycerides in the fatty tissues of the body. Borderline increase in triglycerides is asymptomatic. Very high triglycerides can cause cardiovascular illnesses, xanthoma and pancreatitis. Triglyceride level should be maintained as low as 150 mg/dL. A level of 200 and above is considerably high and would need immediate attention.

Causes of High Triglycerides are as:

Lifestyle as a Cause of High Triglycerides

• Obesity causes lipid imbalance in blood resulting in low HDL (good cholesterol) and high LDL and triglycerides
• Lack of exercise leading to unhealthy weight gain
• Smoking is a major risk factor in causing hypertryglyceridemia
• Excess alcohol stimulates production of triglycerides, and hampers absorption of fat from blood
• Inadequate Fasting: A fasting period of 12 hours prior to the cholesterol testing is mandatory. A period less than that produces an artificial rise in tryglicerides
• Skipping meals and eating large portions of meals at a time
• Late-night snacking and overeating

Foods That Cause High Triglycerides

• Sugar: Simple carbs in the sugary foods stimulate insulin production and can increase triglycerides. Examples of such foods are:Table sugar and brown sugar
• Sweets: like chocolate, candies, candy bars, jams, jellies
• Desserts: like cookies, cakes, pies, and ice creams
• Natural sugars like sucrose, glucose, and fructose also raise your triglyceride level.Sugar intake should be restricted to as low as 8% of the total calorie intake per day
• Beverages: Colas, lemonade, smoothies, and sports drinks should be replaced with sugar free diet drinks. Excess beer, wine, liquor should be avoided
• Starchy foods: White bread, white rice, pastas, potatoes, pizzas and chips
• Saturated and trans fats: These being artificially altered have a detrimental effect on the body. Examples are dairy products, fried foods, fast food, cheese, butter, shortening and ready snacks. Individuals with high triglycerides may use monounsaturated and polyunsaturated like canola oil, olive oil or liquid margarine.

Diseases Causing High Triglycerides

• Undiagnosed diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Heart disease
• Acute hepatitis
• Liver disease
• Hypothyroidism
• Kidney disease
• Acromegaly
• Lipodystrophies
• Cushing's syndrome
• Polycystic ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

Genetic conditions causing High Triglycerides

• Familial hypertriglyceridemia
• Familial dysbetalipoproteinemia
• Familiar lipoprotein lipase deficiency
• Type III hyperlipoproteinemia
• Type V hyperlipoproteinemia

Medicines Causing High Triglycerides

• Antiretroviral therapy
• Beta-blockers
• Birth control pills
• Cyclosporine
• Diuretics
• Estrogen replacement therapy
• Glucocorticoids
• Newer antipsychotics
• Oral contraceptives
• Progesterone
• Retinoids
• Steroids
• Tamoxifen

Use of medications to lower triglycerides is usually discouraged because of its many side effects. Eliminating the foods that cause rise in blood lipids is the natural remedy for high triglycerides. Lipid management would change depending upon the causes of high triglycerides and a physician would best deal with it.