I Was Told I Have Normal Cholesterol But An Increased Triglyceride Level. Should I Be Concerned?

— -- Question: I Was Told I Have Normal Cholesterol But An Increased Triglyceride Level. Should I Be Concerned?

Answer: High triglycerides can be an early sign of an increased risk of diabetes. We know that if you eat more sweets, if you don't exercise as much, if you have a higher blood sugar, statistically, your triglycerides tend to be higher. A normal triglyceride would be less than 150. And if, as the triglycerides get progressively higher, then they change the type of particles that may become incorporated into the plaque and the arteries.

So, the first step, if you're told you have high triglycerides, is to reexamine your diet, to try to follow a healthier diet with more fruits, vegetables, fiber, and whole grains. And also keep an eye on your weight if you tend to be overweight, and probably the safest way to deal with one's triglycerides are to exercise more.

We often recommend that people get a pedometer, put it on their slacks, and try to accumulate about 10,000 steps a day. That's equivalent roughly of about four miles, and one of the safest ways to lower triglycerides and lower weight is to exercise more, and brisk walking is one of the best things that we can all do.

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