5. Triglycerides
The Other Type of Fat to Watch
Triglycerides are chemical packages that contain extra calories your cells can’t burn right after a meal. They’re made from the carbs and fats you eat, which are converted into a form that can be stored in fat cells.
Triglycerides are also released from fat tissue when the body needs extra energy between meals. It’s normal to have some triglycerides in your bloodstream, but extra-high levels are linked to coronary artery disease, especially in women. When you have high triglycerides paired with low HDLs, your risk of insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome may be elevated.
A normal triglyceride reading is less than 150 mg/dl. Borderline high levels are 150 to 199 mg/dl, and over 200 is high.
How to check: A triglyceride check is usually done with the same blood sample your doctor draws for a fasting cholesterol test.
How often to check: Test triglycerides once a year if your levels are normal or as often as every three months if they’re high.
Why it’s important: Regular checks are an important early warning system for your heart.
From: 30 Minutes A Day To A Healthy Heart, Reader's Digest Canada
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