Perhaps it is because I am getting older that I think cartoons are not what they used to be. I have five young children, all boys. Like any concerned parent I govern what they watch. I have found that some of the most detrimental shows on television are actually the cartoons because of the values, or lack of them, that they teach.
Fortunately some of the classics are still around. My favorite has always been that wascally wabbit Bugs Bunny and his trademark expression, Whats up, Doc? Unfortunately, for many of us the answer to the question, Whats up, Doc? is, Your triglycerides. Triglycerides are becoming increasingly important in heart health matters. In fact in the Third Report of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP), triglyceride testing is recommended as part of a complete cholesterol profile. In other words, it is recommended that doctors evaluate high cholesterol treatments in respect to a patients triglyceride levels.
So whats up with triglycerides? Or perhaps we should phrase the question this way, Why are my triglycerides so high? If high triglycerides are really a serious health concern (and they are) then we are wise to be concerned if ours are high. Of course your doctor is the one to isolate the particular cause or causes of your elevated triglyceride levels. Or perhaps you do not have high triglycerides and are concerned to keep things that way. Either way lets consider some of the things that influence triglyceride levels.
I enjoy backing into a subject so lets begin with some causes that are not so common. The first grouping can be classified as medical conditions. These would include but are not limited to the following:
Hypothyroidism is one such condition. It occurs when the thyroid does not properly control metabolism resulting in fatigue, weakness, weight gain, cold intolerance as well as many other uncomfortable symptoms. It also tends to raise triglycerides.
Nephrotic syndrome is a serious kidney disease characterized by high levels of protein in the urine and low levels of protein in the blood. It also produces swelling around the eyes, feet and hands due to the retention of fluids. In addition to raising triglycerides it can also raise LDL cholesterol which is tied to coronary heart disease.
Several liver diseases can negatively affect triglyceride levels. One particular liver condition, known as fatty liver, involves the overproduction and accumulation of triglycerides and other fats in liver cells. Severe cases can result in liver cell death.
Familial hypertriglyceridemia refers to a group of rare genetic disorders resulting in high triglyceride levels. It occurs when the lever produces too much triglyceride and in severe cases can cause triglyceride levels in excess of 1,000 mg/dL and pancreatitis (acute or chronic inflammation of the pancreas).
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