When thinking about the common types of fat (also called lipids) in the body, people are often concerned about their good cholesterol or high-density lipoproteins (HDLs), as well as bad cholesterol or low density lipoproteins (LDLs). But experts at the National Institutes of Health state that triglycerides, another type of lipid, are even more common. And like bad cholesterol, a high triglyceride level can increase your risk for heart disease and stroke. Drinking too much alcohol, taking certain medications, being overweight or obese, and being a diabetic whose blood sugars are uncontrolled are all reasons to have an elevated level.Because the body stores excess calories by turning them into triglycerides, eating more calories than you need (especially excess sugar) is a major culprit. On the other hand, you can have more healthy triglyceride levels by making the right changes. These include quitting smoking, cutting down on sugar and highly sweetened prepared foods, cutting down on alcohol, and getting more exercise. It’s also important to make sure your thyroid is not underactive (usually with a simple blood test) because this also can cause high levels of triglycerides.
If more help is needed, your health care provider may prescribe medications. But what many people may not know is that good dental care is also associated with a healthy triglyceride level, and helps to limit potential damage to your heart and blood vessels as well as to your teeth.
If more help is needed, your health care provider may prescribe medications. But what many people may not know is that good dental care is also associated with a healthy triglyceride level, and helps to limit potential damage to your heart and blood vessels as well as to your teeth.