Triglycerides are the most common type of fat in the body. “Your body gets most of its triglycerides from the foods you eat, but your body can also make triglycerides,” says Sara Sirna, MD, a cardiologist at Deborah Heart and Lung Center in Browns Mills, New Jersey. When you eat, your body turns extra calories it doesn’t need into triglycerides, which are stored in fat cells to be used later for energy. Why do triglycerides matter? Here are some facts that can put them in perspective. Don’t let these facts discourage you. The good news is that your triglyceride levels can be easily checked by your doctor using a simple blood test, and lifestyle changes can make a big difference. “Since triglycerides are very diet dependent, a low-fat diet can be enough to normalize triglyceride levels for some people,” Sirna says. “Changes in dietary patterns, physical activity, and weight loss can lead to quite drastic reductions in triglycerides,” Milks adds. If those changes aren’t enough, medication can help get you in a healthy range.
