Triglycerides are essential parts of our system. Our body derives energy from triglycerides when needed. Elevated levels of triglycerides may cause a lot of health problems. Many people are aware about the good and bad cholesterols these days, but awareness on the levels of triglycerides is still very low.
 

A diet rich in good cholesterol is recommended for heart patients and those at risk of developing heart problems. High levels of cholesterol are generally managed well with diet and exercise.
 

People with heart ailments are generally recommended to lower their levels of triglycerides and bad cholesterol, namely, low-density lipoproteins and very low-density lipoproteins. Lowering these elevated levels may prove very beneficial in these patients. The commonly advised test ‘lipid profile’ estimates the triglyceride levels. In a normal person, the level of triglycerides is always less than 150 milligrams per deciliter, and in a person with elevated levels, it is more than 199 milligrams per deciliter.
 

Many diseases are linked with elevated levels of triglycerides. Obesity, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and hypothyroidism are linked with elevated levels of cholesterol and triglycerides. People on a high fat diet and with some kind of kidney diseases also have elevated triglycerides in their blood. In some cases, only genetics play a role in elevated levels of triglycerides. Interestingly, the side effects of many medications are also said to result in elevated levels of triglycerides.
 

A diet rich in fish/seafood is able to maintain optimum good cholesterol levels in the body while lowering the bad ones including triglycerides. A diet rich in omega-3 fatty acid is able to normalize elevated triglycerides and cholesterol levels. Omega-3 fatty acid supplements are also popular for treating high cholesterol issues.
 

Adopting a high fiber diet is good for high cholesterol and triglycerides as it retards their absorption. Apart from diet, brisk walking, aerobics, and yoga are also helpful in reducing high cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood. A diet high on trans fat should be discarded for elevated triglycerides and cholesterol.
 

Elevated triglycerides can also deposit in the soft tissue near the eyes, causing xanthelasma.

Quitting smoking and alcohol are also crucial for treating high cholesterol problem.

Medicines are generally the second line of treatment, the first being bringing about a change in diet and lifestyle. Medicines like statins, niacin, and fibrates are recommended, if diet and lifestyle fail to lower the high cholesterol levels.