Triglycerides are one of the types of lipids found in the body. Triglycerides are produced by the liver but are mainly derived from foods, such as meat, cheese, milk and many more.
When food intake exceeds the amount needed by the body, this results in increased levels of triglycerides in the blood. High levels of triglycerides are thought to cause thickening of the blood vessel walls, leading to the risk of stroke and heart attack.
Fat from the food you eat will break down and turn into energy. Any fats that the body does not need, are converted into triglycerides and stored in fat cells. When needed, triglycerides are released to use as energy. A healthy diet and lifestyle are the major ways to lower triglycerides level. This can be done by:
- Consuming healthy fats. Increased consumption of foods containing unsaturated fats, such as beans, whole wheat, apples, pears, avocados, and salmon. Alternatively, you can use vegetable oil with olive oil or canola oil.
- Exercise regularly. Exercise for at least 30 minutes every day. Physical activity can lower triglyceride levels and increase good cholesterol.
- Limit the consumption of sugars and flour-based foods. These are the type of carbohydrates that can increase triglyceride levels in the body.
- Limit the consumption of alcoholic beverages. They are high in calories and sugar, leading to increased triglyceride levels.
- Stop smoking. Smoking apart from causing heart disease and stroke, it is also thought to increase triglyceride.
Dyslipidemia is a condition of deranged amount of lipids in the blood. It refers to the following lipid levels:
| Total cholesterol (TC) | > 5.2 mmol/L |
| High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) | < 1.0 mmol/L (males)
< 1.2 mmol/L (females) |
| Triglycerides (TG) | > 1.7 mmol/L |
| Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels | Depends on patient’s CV risk |
Causes of dyslipidemia
According to the causes, the disease can be divided into two types, primary and secondary.
- Primary dyslipidemia
(Primary types are derived from family members who also suffer from the disease also known as hereditary. These types can be subdivided into several subtypes, namely) :
- Familial combined hyperlipidemia
This type is most commonly found in cases of dyslipidemia. This condition is caused by high levels of bad cholesterol and triglycerides. It is commonly found in patients in their teens or 20s.
- Familial hypercholesterolemia and polygenic hypercholesterolemia
Both are marked by high levels of total cholesterol.
- Secondary dyslipidemia
(Meanwhile, this type of secondary is caused by lifestyle factors or health conditions that can affect the levels of lipids in your body.)
Common causes of secondary dyslipidemia are:
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Hypothyroidism
- Alcoholism
- PCOS
- Metabolic syndrome
- Consuming fatty foods
- Cushing’s Syndrome
- Digestive cause (IBS)
- Severe infections, like HIV
- Aortic aneurysm
Management of dyslipidemia
- Therapeutic lifestyle changes (TLC) (Healthy diet, regular exercise, avoidance of tobacco smoking, alcohol restriction and maintenance of ideal weight)
- Lipid Modifying Drugs (Important in secondary dyslipidemia to treat the cause)
- HMG CoA Reductase Inhibitors (Statins)
- Cholesterol Absorption Inhibitors
- Fibric Acid Derivatives (Fibrates)
- Bile Acid Sequestrants (Anion exchange resins)
Statins are the drug of choice for reducing bad cholesterol (LDL) in a wide range of individuals with dyslipidemia.
Some individuals may require combination therapy to achieve therapy goals
