Why Are Triglycerides Essential For The Body?
Triglycerides play a major role in formation of a lipid bilayer, which creates the structure of cell membranes. Both triglycerides and phospholipids form a lipid bilayer that serves as membrane barrier separating the inside and the outside of a cell. What happens is that triglycerides and phospholipids have their polar head facing the inside as well as outside of the cell. The non-polar parts of the molecules (usually the fatty acid portions) tend to dissolve in one another.
By dissolving, they form a mixture of substance that is resistant to water. This water resistant substance keeps the solution within the cells inside and at the same time, it restricts any flow of water and other things outside the cell. This cell membrane is not rigid but fluid-like, something that adds value to the cells.
In the lipid bilayers, there are other molecules like proteins, which move from the inside and outside of cell through the cell membrane allowing for the conduction of chemicals in and out of cells. This is a complex process, which help define how the cells functions.
Another benefit of triglycerides is that they are a secondary source of energy for the body after carbohydrates, which are the primary energy source. This is because fats including triglycerides are difficult to convert into energy than carbohydrates. When fats enter the body, they are catabolized or broken down to provide energy but the body only uses half of the fat calories.
Those that are not used immediately are turned into triglycerides and stored in the adipose tissue until that time they are need by the body for energy. So, when the body does not have sufficient energy from carbohydrates, it turns into its stored fat reserves and derives its energy from there.
Triglycerides also act as insulators and protective barriers. The layer of fats that forms under the skin helps insulate the body from effects of extreme temperature. In organs, fat tissue form protective cushions that help prevent the organs from mechanical trauma or injuries. Triglycerides are also a source of vitamins for the body.
The body stores vitamins E, D, and K in fat. These are fat-soluble vitamins meaning that the body should have fat in order to absorb these vitamins. When there is insufficient dietary fat or the body is not able to absorb fat, the vitamin deficiency is corrected by drawing fat-soluble vitamins from the fat cells. These vitamins are transported in blood vessels by chylomicrons.
How do you measure and interpret triglyceride levels in body?
Triglyceride levels in blood serum are measured through a blood test. The same test that measures cholesterol (both HDL and LDL) is also used to obtained the level of triglycerides in blood. This test is known as lipoprotein panel or lipid panel. A person being tested of triglyceride levels is asked by the doctor to fast for about 9 to 10 hours, as happens with the cholesterol test.
The amount of fat in blood can be affected by eating food, something that can lead to falsely elevate levels of triglycerides. The normal recommended triglyceride levels in blood should be less than 150 milligrams per deciliter of serum (150mg/dl). The borderline or average levels are considered to range from 150 to 200 mg/dl.
When the levels are higher than 200mg/dl, this is regarded as high triglycerides. In this case, a person has increased risk of suffering from atherosclerosis and subsequent coronary artery disease or stroke. Very high levels of triglycerides in blood are associated with a condition known as pancreatitis, which is an inflammation of the pancreas. Therefore, if your levels are greater than 500mg/dl, you are at risk of suffering pancreatitis and fatty liver disease, which are serious conditions.
By dissolving, they form a mixture of substance that is resistant to water. This water resistant substance keeps the solution within the cells inside and at the same time, it restricts any flow of water and other things outside the cell. This cell membrane is not rigid but fluid-like, something that adds value to the cells.
In the lipid bilayers, there are other molecules like proteins, which move from the inside and outside of cell through the cell membrane allowing for the conduction of chemicals in and out of cells. This is a complex process, which help define how the cells functions.
Another benefit of triglycerides is that they are a secondary source of energy for the body after carbohydrates, which are the primary energy source. This is because fats including triglycerides are difficult to convert into energy than carbohydrates. When fats enter the body, they are catabolized or broken down to provide energy but the body only uses half of the fat calories.
Those that are not used immediately are turned into triglycerides and stored in the adipose tissue until that time they are need by the body for energy. So, when the body does not have sufficient energy from carbohydrates, it turns into its stored fat reserves and derives its energy from there.
Triglycerides also act as insulators and protective barriers. The layer of fats that forms under the skin helps insulate the body from effects of extreme temperature. In organs, fat tissue form protective cushions that help prevent the organs from mechanical trauma or injuries. Triglycerides are also a source of vitamins for the body.
The body stores vitamins E, D, and K in fat. These are fat-soluble vitamins meaning that the body should have fat in order to absorb these vitamins. When there is insufficient dietary fat or the body is not able to absorb fat, the vitamin deficiency is corrected by drawing fat-soluble vitamins from the fat cells. These vitamins are transported in blood vessels by chylomicrons.
How do you measure and interpret triglyceride levels in body?
Triglyceride levels in blood serum are measured through a blood test. The same test that measures cholesterol (both HDL and LDL) is also used to obtained the level of triglycerides in blood. This test is known as lipoprotein panel or lipid panel. A person being tested of triglyceride levels is asked by the doctor to fast for about 9 to 10 hours, as happens with the cholesterol test.
The amount of fat in blood can be affected by eating food, something that can lead to falsely elevate levels of triglycerides. The normal recommended triglyceride levels in blood should be less than 150 milligrams per deciliter of serum (150mg/dl). The borderline or average levels are considered to range from 150 to 200 mg/dl.
When the levels are higher than 200mg/dl, this is regarded as high triglycerides. In this case, a person has increased risk of suffering from atherosclerosis and subsequent coronary artery disease or stroke. Very high levels of triglycerides in blood are associated with a condition known as pancreatitis, which is an inflammation of the pancreas. Therefore, if your levels are greater than 500mg/dl, you are at risk of suffering pancreatitis and fatty liver disease, which are serious conditions.
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