National Triglycerides Day was founded in 2018 as a way to help people to understand more about triglycerides and why they matter so much. This year, National Triglycerides Day is on March 28. If you and your elderly family member don’t know much about triglycerides and why they’re so important, this information can help you to make some solid choices.
What Are Triglycerides?
Triglycerides are a form of fat that is naturally made within the body. Your senior’s body takes food and converts it into calories. There are usually calories left over that don’t get used immediately, and those are turned into triglycerides. This is the type of fat that gets stored in fat cells. Between meals, those triglycerides are brought out again as needed.
What Are Normal Levels for Triglycerides?
Triglycerides are measured as part of a blood test that your senior’s doctor might perform yearly, called a lipid panel. This is the same test that shows what your senior’s cholesterol levels are. Cholesterol is a different type of fat in the blood that is used for building hormones and cells. Normal triglyceride levels are under 150 milligrams per deciliter. Above 150 mg/dL, triglyceride levels start to be considered high.
High Triglycerides Can Be Dangerous
Higher than normal triglyceride levels can become dangerous because of how it impacts the systems of the body. High triglycerides contribute to arteriosclerosis, and can contribute to heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and more. If your senior’s triglyceride levels are high, that is something that does need to be managed in order to protect her health.
Managing High Triglycerides
Your senior’s doctor may recommend medications to help control her triglyceride levels. Supplementing with fish oil, a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids may also help. Avoiding excess sugar and refined carbohydrates can be very helpful, as can losing weight if your senior is overweight. Adding an exercise plan, if approved by your senior’s doctor, may be a part of the plan. Sticking to healthy fats and limiting vices like alcohol and smoking is also recommended.
Dealing with high triglycerides is not the end of the world, but your senior may be overwhelmed by the recommended changes. It can help, especially when changing her diet, to hire senior care providers to help with meal preparation. That can take a lot of the excess work out of meals and she may be able to get help with other tasks, too.
If you or an aging loved one is considering senior care in Lockwood, MT, please contact the caring staff at SYNERGY HomeCare Billings today at 406-839-2390.
