Pro Cheer Health: What You Should Know About Triglycerides
Most people monitor their blood sugar or cholesterol levels to keep track of their health. But there's another thing that you also need to keep an eye out for. This is your triglycerides.
Triglycerides are one of our bodies' primary sources of energy and are essential for good health. But too much of it can cause several illnesses, such as heart disease. As a professional cheerleader, you may not think much of triglycerides because you're active and burn more energy than others. However, don't be complacent, as other factors can increase your risk of having high triglyceride levels.
Read on to learn more about triglycerides and their relevance to our health.
What are Triglycerides?
Triacylglycerol, commonly known as triglyceride, is a type of fat found in our blood and fat cells. The primary function of these biomolecules is to be our main energy source.
We can get these triglycerides from the food that we eat, such as meat, dairy, fats, and cooking oils. They're absorbed and carried in the bloodstream for energy consumption or stored in fat cells. Our body can also make its own supply of triglycerides in the liver and fatty tissues. For example, when you eat more carbohydrates than your body needs, these carbohydrates are converted to glycogen which also stores energy. Its derivative, called acetyl CoA, can also be converted into fat, including triglycerides and cholesterol.
Why Do Triglyceride Levels Matter?
When you regularly eat more than your body can metabolize, you will have a higher risk of getting high triglyceride levels. High triglyceride levels are often interconnected with high LDL (bad cholesterol) and low HDL (good cholesterol). This unhealthy combination is linked with fatty buildup within the artery, which increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.
So it's essential to regularly monitor your triglyceride levels, which can easily be measured with a blood test. Experts say that we should aim for a triglyceride level below 150 mg/dL for adults and 90 mg/dL for children ages 10 to 19.
What Can Raise Your Triglycerides?
You may be diagnosed with hypertriglyceridemia if your fasting blood triglyceride levels are consistently higher than 150 mg/dL. And there are several potential causes of having this condition.
The primary causes are based on your genetic conditions. For example, if your family members have hypertriglyceridemia, there is a chance that you may inherit it. But you can also get high triglyceride levels if you have a poor sedentary lifestyle, eat foods high in fat and sugar, or drink too much alcohol. In addition, some medicines used to treat breast cancer, HIV, and other conditions may also raise blood triglyceride levels.
Pro Cheer Lifestyle Changes to Lower High Triglycerides
To lower the chances of having high triglyceride levels, you need to adopt a heart-healthy lifestyle. Here are some of them:
- Get regular physical activity. Since you're a pro cheerleader, this is easy to achieve. Continue training for your routines and exercise regularly.
- Choose a heart-healthy diet. Don't overeat. Only consume what your body needs and avoid foods high in saturated fat and excess sugars.
- Quit smoking and limit your alcohol intake.
If you have been diagnosed with a genetic condition, you may need help from medical professionals. Get advice from your doctor and take the necessary medications.
Conclusion
High triglyceride levels usually show no symptoms, so it's important to take blood tests. If you already have a normal level, continue having a healthy lifestyle and a balanced diet. To lower triglyceride levels, gradually change your lifestyle by losing weight, lowering your calorie intake, and avoiding added sugars and saturated fats.
Read more articles below!
- Pro Cheer Wellness: Stress-Relieving Foods If You're Feeling Anxious
- Pro Cheer Health: Myths About Dietary Fat You Should Stop Believing
- The Best High-Fiber Foods for Gut Health
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