Why does sugar raise triglycerides

Eventually, this can lead to serious complications, such as heart attack or stroke. While all individuals should limit sugar intake, it is especially important for those with increased triglyceride levels. Sugar should be limited to no more than 8 percent of your daily calories. If you are on a 2,calorie diet, sugar should contribute a maximum of calories to your diet.

Because sugar contains 4 calories per gram, this means no more than 40 grams per day. A regular workout regimen that includes high intensity aerobic exercise may increase levels of HDL good cholesterol and decrease blood triglycerides.

Artificial trans fats are a type of fat added to processed foods to increase their shelf life. Trans fats are commonly found in commercially fried foods and baked goods made with partially hydrogenated oils. They can also be found in small amounts in some animal products.

In recent years, the addition of trans fats to food has been banned in the United States Due to their inflammatory properties, trans fats have been attributed to many health problems, including increased LDL bad cholesterol levels and heart disease 24 , One review of 16 studies reported that replacing trans fats with polyunsaturated fats in the diet could help reduce triglyceride levels A diet high in trans fats can increase both blood triglycerides and the risk of heart disease.

Limiting your consumption of heavily processed and fried foods can help decrease your intake of trans fats. Fatty fish is well known for its benefits on heart health and ability to lower blood triglycerides. This is mostly due to its content of omega-3 fatty acids , a type of polyunsaturated fatty acid that is considered essential, meaning you need to get it through your diet.

Both the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and American Heart Association recommend eating two servings of fatty fish per week to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke Salmon, herring, sardines, tuna, and mackerel are a few types of fish that are especially high in omega-3 fatty acids.

Fatty fish is high in omega-3 fatty acids. Eating two servings per week may lower triglyceride levels and decrease the risk of heart disease. Monounsaturated fats are found in foods like olive oil, nuts, and avocados. Polyunsaturated fats are present in vegetable oils and fatty fish, as well as nuts and seeds such as walnuts, flaxseeds, and chia seeds. A review of 27 studies reported that while olive oil consumption does decrease triglycerides levels, it does so significantly less than other types of plant oil One older study analyzed the diets of adults in a specific population of Indigenous people in Alaska over the previous 24 hours.

It found that saturated fat intake was associated with increased blood triglycerides, while polyunsaturated fat intake was associated with lower triglyceride levels To maximize the triglyceride-lowering benefits of unsaturated fats, pick a heart-healthy fat like olive oil and use it to replace other types of fat in your diet, such as trans fats or highly processed vegetable oils Insulin resistance is another factor that can contribute to high blood triglycerides.

After you eat a meal, the cells in your pancreas send a signal to release insulin into the bloodstream. Insulin is then responsible for transporting sugar to your cells to be used for energy. If you have too much insulin in your blood, your body can become resistant to it, making it difficult for your body to use insulin effectively.

This can lead to a buildup of both sugar and triglycerides in the blood. Fortunately, setting a regular eating pattern can help prevent insulin resistance and high triglycerides. For instance, research shows that not eating breakfast can lead to decreased insulin sensitivity You want to do all you can to keep cholesterol levels…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Sugar and Cholesterol: Is There a Connection? Medically reviewed by Peggy Pletcher, M. Research Links Sugar and Cardiovascular Disease.

Controlling Your Sugar Intake. Is Maltitol Keto-Friendly? What to Know About Familial Hypertriglyceridemia. Read this next.

Medically reviewed by Kevin Martinez, M. What You Should Know About Hyperlipidemia Hyperlipidemia is abnormally high levels of fats in the blood, which include cholesterol and triglycerides.

However, excess sugars that are not immediately used are stored. A maximum capacity for glycogen storage however can result in the liver converting this excess glucose into triglycerides. This can lead to a very rapid increase in the blood lipids, even causing the blood to become milky inconsistency.

It is in this way that triglycerides and sugar are so closely related. We need cholesterol and triglycerides as they are our energy source. They are used to transport necessary cholesterol throughout the body and they are also used for energy and they are helpful in storing it as well. But, in great abundance, they can be problematic and dramatically increase the risk for heart disease and resulting complications.