Triglycerides
Triglycerides
Triglycerides are a common type of fat found in your blood that your body uses for energy.
Triglycerides are a common type of fat found in your blood that your body uses for energy.
Triglycerides
Normal range
Normal range
<2.3 mmol/L
<2.3 mmol/L
Normal range
<2.3 mmol/L
<2.3 mmol/L
Normal range
Triglycerides
Triglycerides
Triglycerides are a common type of fat found in your blood that your body uses for energy.
Triglycerides
Normal range
<2.3 mmol/L
Normal range
<2.3 mmol/L
<2.3 mmol/L
Normal range
Triglycerides
Triglycerides
Triglycerides are a common type of fat found in your blood that your body uses for energy.
Triglycerides
Normal range
<2.3 mmol/L
Normal range
<2.3 mmol/L
<2.3 mmol/L
Normal range
Triglycerides
Dr. Yiannis Balanos
MBBS MRCGP
The Energy Storage Fat
The Energy Storage Fat
Triglycerides are the most common type of fat in your blood, serving as your body's primary energy storage system. Unlike cholesterol, which has structural functions, triglycerides are pure energy—created from excess calories and stored for later use. When triglyceride levels stay normal, they support healthy metabolism. But when they climb high, they increase your risk of heart disease, stroke, and are associated with metabolic syndrome.
Triglycerides are the most common type of fat in your blood, serving as your body's primary energy storage system. Unlike cholesterol, which has structural functions, triglycerides are pure energy—created from excess calories and stored for later use. When triglyceride levels stay normal, they support healthy metabolism. But when they climb high, they increase your risk of heart disease, stroke, and are associated with metabolic syndrome.
When Triglycerides Fall Out of Balance
When Triglycerides Fall Out of Balance
When Triglycerides Fall Out of Balance
Discover how both normal and elevated triglycerides affect your cardiovascular health and metabolic function.
Read more
What Affects Your Triglycerides?
What Affects Your Triglycerides?
What Affects Your Triglycerides?
Learn about the dietary, lifestyle, and medical factors that can alter your body's fat processing and energy storage.
Read more
How to Improve Your Triglyceride Levels
How to Improve Your Triglyceride Levels
How to Improve Your Triglyceride Levels
Understand the most effective strategies to optimise your triglycerides through targeted lifestyle modifications.
Read more
Understanding Your Results
Understanding Your Results
Understanding Your Results
Find out what your numbers mean, the importance of fasting, and when changes warrant medical attention.
Read more
When Triglycerides Fall Out of Balance
Normal Triglyceride Levels: Normal triglyceride levels indicate your body is efficiently processing dietary fats and converting excess calories into appropriate energy storage. Your liver produces triglycerides naturally, and healthy levels support normal metabolism without overwhelming your cardiovascular system. At optimal levels, triglycerides work alongside other lipids to maintain healthy blood composition and provide energy reserves when needed.
When Triglycerides Climb Too High: High triglycerides signal that your body is struggling to process dietary fats and excess calories effectively. This often occurs alongside other metabolic problems like insulin resistance, making elevated triglycerides a key marker of metabolic dysfunction. High triglycerides rarely cause symptoms you can feel, yet they increase your risk of heart disease if they remain high over time.
When triglycerides reach very high levels in rare situations, they can increase the risk of acute pancreatitis—a condition where the pancreas becomes inflamed. Symptoms of pancreatitis include sudden abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, and fever.
When Triglycerides Fall Out of Balance
Normal Triglyceride Levels: Normal triglyceride levels indicate your body is efficiently processing dietary fats and converting excess calories into appropriate energy storage. Your liver produces triglycerides naturally, and healthy levels support normal metabolism without overwhelming your cardiovascular system. At optimal levels, triglycerides work alongside other lipids to maintain healthy blood composition and provide energy reserves when needed.
When Triglycerides Climb Too High: High triglycerides signal that your body is struggling to process dietary fats and excess calories effectively. This often occurs alongside other metabolic problems like insulin resistance, making elevated triglycerides a key marker of metabolic dysfunction. High triglycerides rarely cause symptoms you can feel, yet they increase your risk of heart disease if they remain high over time.
When triglycerides reach very high levels in rare situations, they can increase the risk of acute pancreatitis—a condition where the pancreas becomes inflamed. Symptoms of pancreatitis include sudden abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, and fever.
When Triglycerides Fall Out of Balance
Normal Triglyceride Levels: Normal triglyceride levels indicate your body is efficiently processing dietary fats and converting excess calories into appropriate energy storage. Your liver produces triglycerides naturally, and healthy levels support normal metabolism without overwhelming your cardiovascular system. At optimal levels, triglycerides work alongside other lipids to maintain healthy blood composition and provide energy reserves when needed.
When Triglycerides Climb Too High: High triglycerides signal that your body is struggling to process dietary fats and excess calories effectively. This often occurs alongside other metabolic problems like insulin resistance, making elevated triglycerides a key marker of metabolic dysfunction. High triglycerides rarely cause symptoms you can feel, yet they increase your risk of heart disease if they remain high over time.
When triglycerides reach very high levels in rare situations, they can increase the risk of acute pancreatitis—a condition where the pancreas becomes inflamed. Symptoms of pancreatitis include sudden abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, and fever.
What Affects Your Triglycerides?
Your triglyceride levels reflect a complex balance between dietary intake, metabolic processing, and energy expenditure. This balance can be disrupted by numerous factors, pushing levels either up or down.
Factors that increase triglycerides include excess calorie intake from any source, diets high in refined carbohydrates and added sugars, excessive alcohol consumption, and physical inactivity. Obesity, particularly abdominal fat accumulation, significantly elevates triglyceride production. Medical conditions such as diabetes and hypothyroidism also drive levels upward, as do certain medications.
Importantly, triglycerides are highly sensitive to recent food intake and can double or triple after eating, making fasting essential for accurate testing. Even small snacks or sugary drinks can significantly elevate results and lead to misinterpretation.
Conversely, several factors help reduce triglycerides naturally. Regular physical activity and exercise are particularly effective, as is achieving and maintaining a healthy weight. Limiting refined carbohydrates and added sugars whilst choosing complex carbohydrates supports healthier levels. Omega-3 fatty acids from fish or supplements, moderate alcohol consumption (if you drink), and maintaining stable blood sugar levels all contribute to triglyceride management.
What Affects Your Triglycerides?
Your triglyceride levels reflect a complex balance between dietary intake, metabolic processing, and energy expenditure. This balance can be disrupted by numerous factors, pushing levels either up or down.
Factors that increase triglycerides include excess calorie intake from any source, diets high in refined carbohydrates and added sugars, excessive alcohol consumption, and physical inactivity. Obesity, particularly abdominal fat accumulation, significantly elevates triglyceride production. Medical conditions such as diabetes and hypothyroidism also drive levels upward, as do certain medications.
Importantly, triglycerides are highly sensitive to recent food intake and can double or triple after eating, making fasting essential for accurate testing. Even small snacks or sugary drinks can significantly elevate results and lead to misinterpretation.
Conversely, several factors help reduce triglycerides naturally. Regular physical activity and exercise are particularly effective, as is achieving and maintaining a healthy weight. Limiting refined carbohydrates and added sugars whilst choosing complex carbohydrates supports healthier levels. Omega-3 fatty acids from fish or supplements, moderate alcohol consumption (if you drink), and maintaining stable blood sugar levels all contribute to triglyceride management.
What Affects Your Triglycerides?
Your triglyceride levels reflect a complex balance between dietary intake, metabolic processing, and energy expenditure. This balance can be disrupted by numerous factors, pushing levels either up or down.
Factors that increase triglycerides include excess calorie intake from any source, diets high in refined carbohydrates and added sugars, excessive alcohol consumption, and physical inactivity. Obesity, particularly abdominal fat accumulation, significantly elevates triglyceride production. Medical conditions such as diabetes and hypothyroidism also drive levels upward, as do certain medications.
Importantly, triglycerides are highly sensitive to recent food intake and can double or triple after eating, making fasting essential for accurate testing. Even small snacks or sugary drinks can significantly elevate results and lead to misinterpretation.
Conversely, several factors help reduce triglycerides naturally. Regular physical activity and exercise are particularly effective, as is achieving and maintaining a healthy weight. Limiting refined carbohydrates and added sugars whilst choosing complex carbohydrates supports healthier levels. Omega-3 fatty acids from fish or supplements, moderate alcohol consumption (if you drink), and maintaining stable blood sugar levels all contribute to triglyceride management.
How to Improve Your Triglyceride Levels
For elevated triglycerides, the most effective approach combines dietary modifications with lifestyle changes. Reduce overall calorie intake to achieve a healthy weight, focusing on limiting refined carbohydrates, sugars, and processed foods whilst choosing complex carbohydrates like whole grains, vegetables, and legumes.
Regular physical activity proves effective—aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise weekly. Include omega-3 food sources, maintain consistent meal timing, and avoid large, high-calorie meals. Focus on portion control and balanced meals that combine healthy proteins, fats, and complex carbohydrates.
How to Improve Your Triglyceride Levels
For elevated triglycerides, the most effective approach combines dietary modifications with lifestyle changes. Reduce overall calorie intake to achieve a healthy weight, focusing on limiting refined carbohydrates, sugars, and processed foods whilst choosing complex carbohydrates like whole grains, vegetables, and legumes.
Regular physical activity proves effective—aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise weekly. Include omega-3 food sources, maintain consistent meal timing, and avoid large, high-calorie meals. Focus on portion control and balanced meals that combine healthy proteins, fats, and complex carbohydrates.
How to Improve Your Triglyceride Levels
For elevated triglycerides, the most effective approach combines dietary modifications with lifestyle changes. Reduce overall calorie intake to achieve a healthy weight, focusing on limiting refined carbohydrates, sugars, and processed foods whilst choosing complex carbohydrates like whole grains, vegetables, and legumes.
Regular physical activity proves effective—aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise weekly. Include omega-3 food sources, maintain consistent meal timing, and avoid large, high-calorie meals. Focus on portion control and balanced meals that combine healthy proteins, fats, and complex carbohydrates.
Understanding Your Results
Triglyceride levels are measured in millimoles per liter (mmol/L):
Normal: ≤2.3 mmol/L
High: >2.3 mmol/L
For accurate results, you must fast for 9-12 hours before testing, consuming only water.
Your triglyceride levels should be evaluated alongside other lipid markers and cardiovascular risk factors. High levels, particularly levels consistently above 10 mmol/L may require medication intervention. Very high levels (>20 mmol/L) require medical attention due to the increased risk of acute pancreatitis.
Understanding Your Results
Triglyceride levels are measured in millimoles per liter (mmol/L):
Normal: ≤2.3 mmol/L
High: >2.3 mmol/L
For accurate results, you must fast for 9-12 hours before testing, consuming only water.
Your triglyceride levels should be evaluated alongside other lipid markers and cardiovascular risk factors. High levels, particularly levels consistently above 10 mmol/L may require medication intervention. Very high levels (>20 mmol/L) require medical attention due to the increased risk of acute pancreatitis.
Understanding Your Results
Triglyceride levels are measured in millimoles per liter (mmol/L):
Normal: ≤2.3 mmol/L
High: >2.3 mmol/L
For accurate results, you must fast for 9-12 hours before testing, consuming only water.
Your triglyceride levels should be evaluated alongside other lipid markers and cardiovascular risk factors. High levels, particularly levels consistently above 10 mmol/L may require medication intervention. Very high levels (>20 mmol/L) require medical attention due to the increased risk of acute pancreatitis.
The Takeaway
Triglycerides serve as your body's primary energy storage system, but elevated levels can indicate metabolic dysfunction and significantly increased cardiovascular risk. Unlike cholesterol, triglycerides respond rapidly to dietary and lifestyle changes, making them one of the most modifiable cardiovascular risk factors.
Most people can achieve substantial triglyceride reductions through calorie reduction, limiting refined carbohydrates, regular exercise, and weight management. The key lies in addressing the underlying metabolic imbalances that drive triglyceride elevation rather than simply focusing on the numbers alone.
Don't overlook triglycerides when reviewing your lipid profile—they're often the first marker to become abnormal in metabolic syndrome and provide valuable insight into your metabolic health. Remember that proper fasting before testing is essential for accurate interpretation, and very high levels warrant professional medical evaluation.
The Takeaway
Triglycerides serve as your body's primary energy storage system, but elevated levels can indicate metabolic dysfunction and significantly increased cardiovascular risk. Unlike cholesterol, triglycerides respond rapidly to dietary and lifestyle changes, making them one of the most modifiable cardiovascular risk factors.
Most people can achieve substantial triglyceride reductions through calorie reduction, limiting refined carbohydrates, regular exercise, and weight management. The key lies in addressing the underlying metabolic imbalances that drive triglyceride elevation rather than simply focusing on the numbers alone.
Don't overlook triglycerides when reviewing your lipid profile—they're often the first marker to become abnormal in metabolic syndrome and provide valuable insight into your metabolic health. Remember that proper fasting before testing is essential for accurate interpretation, and very high levels warrant professional medical evaluation.
The Takeaway
Triglycerides serve as your body's primary energy storage system, but elevated levels can indicate metabolic dysfunction and significantly increased cardiovascular risk. Unlike cholesterol, triglycerides respond rapidly to dietary and lifestyle changes, making them one of the most modifiable cardiovascular risk factors.
Most people can achieve substantial triglyceride reductions through calorie reduction, limiting refined carbohydrates, regular exercise, and weight management. The key lies in addressing the underlying metabolic imbalances that drive triglyceride elevation rather than simply focusing on the numbers alone.
Don't overlook triglycerides when reviewing your lipid profile—they're often the first marker to become abnormal in metabolic syndrome and provide valuable insight into your metabolic health. Remember that proper fasting before testing is essential for accurate interpretation, and very high levels warrant professional medical evaluation.
References
British Heart Foundation. (2019). Triglycerides and cardiovascular disease risk. Heart Health Guidelines.
European Society of Cardiology. (2021). Management of dyslipidaemias: clinical practice guidelines. European Heart Journal.
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2020). Cardiovascular disease: risk assessment and reduction. NICE Clinical Guideline.
References
British Heart Foundation. (2019). Triglycerides and cardiovascular disease risk. Heart Health Guidelines.
European Society of Cardiology. (2021). Management of dyslipidaemias: clinical practice guidelines. European Heart Journal.
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2020). Cardiovascular disease: risk assessment and reduction. NICE Clinical Guideline.
References
British Heart Foundation. (2019). Triglycerides and cardiovascular disease risk. Heart Health Guidelines.
European Society of Cardiology. (2021). Management of dyslipidaemias: clinical practice guidelines. European Heart Journal.
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2020). Cardiovascular disease: risk assessment and reduction. NICE Clinical Guideline.
Research articles
Research articles
Control your preventive health with Emerald
Subscribe to our newsletter
© 2025 Emerald Labs Ltd
Subscribe to our newsletter
© 2025 Emerald Labs Ltd
Subscribe to our newsletter
© 2025 Emerald Labs Ltd
Subscribe to our newsletter
© 2025 Emerald Labs Ltd
Subscribe to our newsletter
© 2025 Emerald Labs Ltd