Triglycerides are essential for the human body and are a form of fat stored for later energy use in the blood. Even though these fats are necessary, they can be dangerous. The danger comes when you eat more than the calories your body can burn.
Several factors cause high triglycerides, among which are the functional root cause.
Functional root causes of high triglycerides may increase the risk of having high triglycerides. These factors can contribute to the risk of developing health problems that cause high triglycerides.
Insulin resistance occurs when your body cannot respond well to insulin, resulting in its inability to handle all your glucose. In most cases, insulin resistance results in blood sugar issues, and that is how you get into a higher risk of prediabetes and type-2 diabetes.
High triglycerides can trigger insulin resistance; likewise, insulin resistance can increase the risk of high triglycerides. Among the signs of insulin resistance are large appetite, being overweight, and hormone problems-PCOS.
Oxidative stress is a disturbance in the balance between radicals or reactive oxygen species, production, and the oxidant defense in your body. Oxidative stress occurs due to:
Chemical exposure
Radiation pollution
Car fumes, among others
These factors, together with poor dietary and lifestyle choices, increase the chances of chronic inflammation. Subsequently, chronic inflammation and oxidative stress may increase your risk of high triglycerides.
Hypothyroidism occurs when you have an underactive thyroid that cannot produce enough thyroid hormone. If your numbers are lower than usual, you have low subclinical thyroid, which increases your risk of hypothyroidism. At this point, you may start having symptoms and health issues.
Functional Medicine addresses the issue of avoiding future problems. Hypothyroidism and subclinical low thyroid levels may increase the risk of having high triglycerides. Hypothyroidism symptoms are;
Goiter
Fatigue, and
Decreased libido, among others
It’s advisable to have vitamin D for immune health, bone, and muscle. You can find vitamin D in foods like liver, fish, and eggs. Again your body can synthesize it from the sun.
Regardless of age, vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of high triglycerides and affects children. Signs of vitamin D deficiency are greater pain sensitivity, mood issues, depression, sleepiness, and high blood pressure, among others.
Zinc is vital for your immunity and metabolic function and is an essential trace element. You can find it in red meat, poultry, seafood, beans, and nuts. With zinc deficiency, you will not only have poor immune health but also be at a higher risk of high triglycerides.
Zinc deficiency may alter lipids’ metabolism, and when you increase zinc intake, your triglyceride and cholesterol levels may improve.
Symptoms of zinc deficiency include:
Low energy
Insomnia, infertility
Loss of appetite
Abnormal hair loss, among others
Infections that include viral and oral infections can increase the risk of high triglycerides. A study done in 2000, published by Medicine, found that Medicinenatory conditions, chronic inflammations, and infections compromise the lipid metabolism process.
Among the chronic illnesses that compromise lipid metabolism are HIV and periodontal disease. Also, lupus, psoriasis, and rheumatoid arthritis are some inflammatory conditions that increase the risk of high triglycerides.
Some of the medications prescribed can increase the risk of high triglycerides, according to a 2018 scientific article published in Endotext. These medicines are:
Blood pressure medications
Corticosteroids
HIV treatments
Antipsychotics
Estrogen treatment
Isotretinoin for acne
Although high cholesterol and high triglycerides can cause heart problems, you should note that not all cholesterol is bad. LDL cholesterol, also known as low-density lipoprotein, is bad cholesterol.
LDL cholesterol collects in the blood vessels, which raises the risk of a heart attack or stroke. HDL cholesterol, also known as high-density lipoprotein, is good cholesterol. HDL takes LDL to the liver, where LDL gets flushed out of your body.
This is how HDL levels can protect you from heart attacks and strokes.
You can reduce triglycerides. Here are some of the habits you can incorporate into your daily life:
Have a nutrition plan that is anti-inflammatory and low carb
Eat more garlic and herbs
Embrace intermittent fasting
Do a lot of movement and exercise
Incorporate strength training
Reduce stress as much as possible
Improve your quality of sleep
Optimize your vitamin D and zinc levels
Use omega-three fatty acids
Increase your uptake of turmeric and curcumin
Optimize your glutathione levels
That said, high triglycerides have been a common issue affecting many people in Kansas City and other states keeping track of the affected patients. You can choose to avoid the risk of liver, pancreatic, kidney, and cardiovascular problems naturally. Adopt a healthy lifestyle, and some of these problems will be a thing of the past.
The diagnosis of high triglycerides should not worry you. You can do something to reduce triglycerides, as illustrated above. Contact Lifeworks Interactive Health to get the best professional help.