What Causes High Triglyceride Levels?

When the doctor tells you you've got high triglyceride levels, it can be confusing. What did you do to get them and what can be done about them? There are some pretty straightforward causes of high triglyceride levels, which we will cover below. Knowledge is half the battle, and once you know what causes your elevated triglycerides, you'll know what to do.

The most common cause of high triglycerides is obesity. Even a little extra weight can increase your triglyceride levels. The good news is that if a little extra weight can cause high triglycerides, a little bit of weight loss can lower them! Don't imagine that you have to be a stick insect, just attempt to improve your health a little bit at a time.

Another very common health issue that causes high triglycerides is poorly controlled diabetes. Keeping blood sugar and insulin levels on an even keel can prevent high triglyceride levels. Whether the diabetes is insulin dependent or diet controlled, whether it's type I or type II, controlling the disease is key to lowering triglycerides.

Two more 'lifestyle' factors can cause high triglycerides. Drinking a lot of alcohol can increase triglycerides, as can regularly eating more calories than your body uses. The second, of course, leads to obesity as well as increasing triglyceride levels. Eating foods that keep you full, like a low glycemic diet, benefits your blood lipid levels including triglycerides. Not over imbibing in alcohol is good for you in all sorts of ways.

There are some medicines and disorders that cause raised triglyceride levels. Underactive thyroid and kidney disease can be causes of high tryglycerides, as can Tamoxifen, Steroids, beta-blockers, diuretics (water pills) and female hormones in birth control pills or simple estrogen. If you are taking any of these medicines or suffer from thyroid or kidney disease, it's important to monitor your overall health and consider your triglyceride levels even if you're not 'of a certain age'. High blood pressure is linked to high tryglycerides, though it's not clear that hypertension causes high triglycerides. It's possible that the two 'issues' go hand in hand, with common causes.

Lastly, age causes higher triglycerides. Essentially, surviving makes you sicker! In truth, as we age, we are more sensitive to unhealthy behaviors and indiscrimate diets. We also move less and carry less body mass, making our blood sugar and insulin levels less steady.

So, your doctor told you you have high triglycerides. What can you do? First, you need to know the causes of high triglycerides. Once you do, you will probably understand what you need to do to reduce your levels and increase your health.

Sources:
High Triglycerides
Hyperglycemia and Triglyceride Levels
Triglycerides