Triglycerides are a form of fat that float in our bloodstream. Or are stored in fat tissue and add to inches that nobody enjoys. Their main function is to supply fuel to the body so that it may do its chores. You can’t do without them, but you mustn’t allow them to grow to abnormal levels.
Unchecked, they can jam the arteries and set up the negative process of atherosclerosis, thus increasing the risk of angina, heart attacks and stroke. With some hard measures, you could still cut their untidy levels:
Eat less: If you are serious about wanting to cut down on triglycerides, keep a close watch on your calories. All excess calories, whichever form you may take them in, turn into fat and triglycerides.
Turn into a veggie: Vegetarian diet adds fibre, vitamins, minerals, and polyunsaturated fatty acids. That’s certainly healthier and more wholesome.
Use a sensible cooking medium: Avoid the processed vanaspati oils, instead use good oils like sunflower, wheat germ, corn, canola and mustard oil.
Too much sugar is bad: Table sugar and desserts by the sheer load of their calories can burden you with increasing cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
Regular exercise: Just 30 minutes of aerobic exercise four or five times per week may lower cholesterol and raise HDL levels.
The writer is Senior Specialist, Safdarjung Hospital and Professor, VM Medical College and a well-known columnist