Triglycerides - Your Cholesterol's Best Friends and Worst Enemies!
OMG, what a week it has been! I recently started working with a new client, and before we got started, I asked her to have her cholesterol checked. Naturally, I emphasized the importance of reviewing her triglyceride levels as part of the assessment. Can you believe the doctor said that because she is slim, there was no need to look deeper into her triglycerides and that they should only focus on her LDL levels, as she had a slim physique?
This is an absolute no-no! Always insist on having your triglycerides fully checked and taken into account first. Understanding the full picture is crucial for maintaining heart health!
Needless to say, after proper readings were done, both her LDLand Triglyceride levels came back way too high.
Her health needed immediate attention.
This situation just goes to show that, no matter how slim you are, you still need to ensure your health is in tip-top shape. This is a classic case of "skinny-fat" — a scenario where a slim person has low muscle tone but a higher body fat percentage, often due to a poor diet, lack of strength training, just poor lifestyle choices.
The result? Dangerously high cholesterol levels and the potential for heart disease.
Let’s make sure we advocate for our health and not overlook any vital information! And before any doctor wants to throw medications down your throat, PLEASE STOP and first follow through with correcting the root cause. That’s where I your health specialist and the PowerfulME platforms come in.
Let me explain a little further why this is information is crucial...
Triglycerides and cholesterol! Whether you’re a health guru or just someone looking to stay fabulous, understanding these little dudes will help you keep your health in tip-top shape.
But first let us understand what Triglycerides actually are?
I'm gonna try and simplify it as best I can for you. Imagine your body as a well-oiled machine. Just like any machine, it needs fuel to run smoothly. That’s where triglycerides come in! Triglycerides are a type of fat (lipid) found in your blood, serving as a key energy source for your body and they come from two main sources:
1. Your Food: When you eat, your body converts any calories it doesn’t need right away into triglycerides. So, if you’ve ever indulged in that extra slice of pizza (no judgment here!), it likely contributed to your triglyceride levels.
2. Your Body: Your liver also produces triglycerides. When you consume more calories than you burn, your liver steps in and gets to work!
Okay, now here is the Cholesterol Connection 💖 .......
Let’s talk Cholesterol! Cholesterol is often portrayed as the villain in the health narrative, but it's not all bad.
Please, you need to understand that, ... your body NEEDS CHOLESTEROL to build cells and produce certain hormones.
It comes in two forms:
1. LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein): Often known as “bad” cholesterol, high levels can lead to plaque buildup in your arteries.
2. HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein): Known as “good” cholesterol, it helps carry LDL away from your arteries.
So then, where do triglycerides fit into this picture, you may ask? And Why Must You Check Your Triglycerides?
When you get your cholesterol checked, it usually includes a triglyceride measurement, but not 100% focused on, and this you need to emphasize with your doctor to have this properly checked and focused on as well. There is a specific calculation that is required for these results. Should only the LDL levels show high, every one then starts to panics, but hold the bus, this is not always a red flag of danger…. One needs to dive deeper and check into the Triglyceride readings and if the triglyceride readings together with the LDL readings show high, then this is an absolute Red Flag!
Here are a few reasons why:
1. Heart Health: High triglycerides increase your risk of heart disease, especially when paired with high LDL cholesterol.Think of them as the sidekick that makes the villain more dangerous!
2. Comprehensive View: Checking your triglycerides gives your doctor a clearer picture of your overall health. If you only focus on cholesterol without considering 100% on triglycerides, it’s like trying to watch your favorite movie with only half of the screen!
3. A View Into Your Lifestyle: Elevated triglyceride levels is a sign of lifestyle choices that need adjusting, like indulging in those late-night snacks or skipping out on exercise sessions. It’s a way to reflect on your daily habits and make much better positive and powerful changes!
Keeping Those Triglycerides in Check
Q: So, how do you keep those triglycerides at bay?
Note 3 important tips to get you started:
1. Eat Smart: Opt for healthy fats like avocados, coconut oil, olive oil, flaxseed oil, while reducing sugars and refined starchy carbohydrates.
2. Exercise: Ensure to include daily walks (cardio) plus, body resistance/strength training 2 -3 times per week.
3. Fasting Lifestyle Protocols: Start with practicing Intermittent fasting and work your way into rolling 24’s and 48’s.
BUT LET US NOT FORGET ABOUT THIS IMPORTANT POINT TOO:
I call this point, "The Snake In The Grass" - STRESS!
Stress contributes to higher levels of "bad" cholesterol, your LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein).
While stress itself doesn’t directly cause cholesterol to rise, it triggers responses in your body that lead to higher levels.
Here's how:
1. Cortisol Release: When you're stressed, your body releases cortisol, a hormone that helps manage stress.
High levels of cortisol lead to the liver producing more cholesterol, including LDL.
2. Unhealthy Daily Habits: Stress often leads people to engage in unhealthy behaviors, such as overeating, eating processed or high-bad-fat foods, smoking, or avoiding physical activity.
These bad stress habits increase LDL cholesterol and triglycerides while reducing HDL (the "good" cholesterol).
3. Inflammation: Chronic stress leads to inflammation in the body, which contributes to the buildup of plaque in the arteries, worsening heart health and cholesterol levels.
So while stress may not directly "cause" bad cholesterol, it can certainly create conditions that lead to higher LDL levels and increased risk for heart disease.
Managing stress through exercise, mindfulness, or relaxation techniques will help improve your cholesterol and overall
well-being!
PLEASE NOTE: These well-being practices are all included as beautiful accountabilities within my group coaching journeys and programs. FIND OUT MORE!
IMPORTANT!! ✏️Note This Down 👇
The Dangers of Bad Fats and Bad Carbohydrates Together
These 2 bad boys together are NOT a dynamic duo! Bad fats and bad carbohydrates!
When you combine unhealthy fats, like those found in fried foods, processed snacks, and fatty cuts of meat WITH refined carbohydrates such as white bread, pasta, sugary cereals, and sweets, you create a recipe for disaster for your cholesterol and triglyceride levels. This combo leads to a significant increase in triglycerides, as your body struggles to process all the excess calories, turning them into fat. Moreover, this mix also raises your LDL "bad" cholesterol levels, creating a perfect storm for heart disease.
So, while it might be tempting to indulge in that fried donut burger with a side of fries, remember that moderation is key.
Your heart will thank you for making healthier choices! ❤️
NOTE FROM A CLIENT: JESSICA BROWN - “I went to the doctor for my annual physical last week. She saw how my health has improved, and she was SO proud of me. I have yall to thank!”
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to give my team a shout by emailing: office@powerfulmeco.com.
Remember, we are always here to help you!
For a PRIVATE CONSULTATION with Coach Michelene CLICK HERE
And there you have it! Understanding triglycerides and their relationship with cholesterol is crucial for maintaining a healthy heart.
Keep those numbers in check, and let’s stay absolutely fabulous & healthy together!
Stay Happy and Healthy,
Ciao!
Michelene Adamo
DISCLAIMER: We are not doctors and our newsletters are for educational purposes only!
Power Punch Message From Michelene
When Stressed - Hit That Pause Button, then note to oneself, this (the stressful situation) is not serving my heart health well.
Take a breather, step away and reset.