Triglycerides are the most common type of fat in the body — an important energy source but elevation increases heart disease and pancreas risk.
What Raises Them:
- Sugars and starches: White bread, rice, sweets — the body converts excess sugar to triglycerides.
- Soft drinks and juices: Liquid sugar absorbed quickly and converted to fat.
- Obesity: Especially visceral fat.
- Alcohol: Even small amounts raise them.
- Uncontrolled diabetes: High sugar stimulates triglyceride production.
Risks:
- Above 500: Risk of acute pancreatitis — a life-threatening emergency.
- 150-500: Increased cardiovascular disease risk.
Treatment:
- Reduce sugars and starches (more important than reducing fats!).
- Regular exercise.
- Weight loss.
- High-dose omega-3.
- Fibrate medications in severe cases.
At BEIT TARIQ Center, we test triglycerides as part of the complete lipid profile for every patient.