Is a large aspect of animal fats and vegetable oils

Chemically it is a “glycerol” that is esterified with the addition of 3 fatty acids

The fatty acids that are attached are seen at different lengths of chains typically at lengths of 16, 18, or 20.

Fatty acids from nature are often even numbers

Bacteria can synthesis odd brach numbers

Metabolism

   -     Are broken apart in the intestines
   -     Broken into a “momoacylglycerol” and a “free fatty acid”
   -     Lipolysis is term of breaking down a triglyceride
   -     Enzymes from intestines help in the breakdown
   -     Digestion then occurs
   -     Are packaged along with cholesterol
   -     Are transported throughout the body
   -     Can be used for energy

Complications of excess triglycerides:

1.)   High Triglycerides also called Hypertriglyceridemia
2.)   Atherosclerosis
3.)   Heart Disease
4.)   Stroke
5.)   Pancreatitis

Levels

Normal                    Less then 150 mg/dL
Borderline               150-199 mg/dL
High                        200-499 mg/dL
Very High               500+

Blood work is taken from an individual who has been fasting for 8-12 hours

How to reduce Levels??

-     Decrease consumption of fats
-     Decrease consumption of alcohol
-     Decrease consumption of carbohydrates
-     Increase aerobic exercise
-     Increase Omega-3-fatty acids from fish, flax seed oil, and others

Medical Treatment

.         Niacin
.         Statins
.         Fibrates       *** not used as first line treatment