triglycerides
how important are they?
Are they a better indicator of health 
than cholesterol?

Triglycerides may be a better indicator of health than cholesterol, but usually when  you have high triglycerides you also have high cholesterol. Research seems to indicate that high triglycerides appear to be a high indicator of heart health.  So when you get your blood results you need to look carefully at not only your cholesterol, but also your triglycerides.

What are triglycerides?

Triglycerides are are fat lipids that are in blood. They are created when calories that your body doesn't use right away are stored in fat cells. The triglycerides are released between meals for energy. If someone continues to eat more than they need, the triglyceride count will be higher. Triglycerides can't dissolve in the blood. High triglycerides can lead to heart disease, heart attacks and strokes.

If you don't know what your triglyceride or cholesterol count is, the doctor can order a lipid profile. a lipid profile will tell you about your cholesterol (HDL and LDL) and your triglycerides,

Triglyceride levels

• A healthy triglyceride level is less than 150 mg.
• 150 to 199 mg is borderline high
• 199 to 499 mg is high
• anything above 499 is very high

Why should I be worried

High triglyceride levels may be more dangerous than high cholesterol levels, High triglycerides may:

• increase the risk of hardening of the arteries and heart attacks
• contribute to strokes or to dementia
• contribute to poor circulation
• contribute to peripheral artery disease
• affect the health of the liver
• affect the health of the pancreas

What causes high triglyceride levels

• obesity (one of the most common causes)
• poor diet - diet low in fiber, omega threes and nutrition
• too much sugar
• sedentary lifestyle
• smoking

Lower your triglyceride levels

Some of the same strategies that lower cholesterol levels will also lower triglyceride levels. 
Some of these are:

• Lose weight
• exercise daily
• Reduce sugar in your diet
• Eliminate refined foods as much as possible
• increase fiber in your diet
• avoid refined foods
• Eat foods with plenty of antioxidants and Omega 3s
• Limit or eliminate alcohol
• eliminate trans fat in your diet
• eat healthy fats such as those found in fish and avocados
• fish oil supplements

Check out my diet for healthy cholesterol. It is good for triglycerides as well.

A mandarin orange smoothie can help to improve your cholesterol and triglyceride levels and your health.

Smoothies made with all natural ingredients can be an important part of a healthy diet.
mandarin orange smoothie recipe

Ingredients:

1       apple of your choice - gala or delicious are good.  Wash thoroughly but do not peel.
3/4    cup frozen cherries
2       mandarin oranges - peeled
1 T    chia seeds
3/4    c crushed ice
1/2    c water (more or less for thickness you desire)

Put all ingredients in the blender and blend until consistency you like.  
easy, quickly made, and tasty