Health Issues
Triglycerides
Question:
My blood test shows elevated levels of triglycerides. Would carboloading and
eating carbohydrate energy gells contribute to high blood triglycerides? I
run long distance regularly and hopefully burn a lot of the fuel that I eat.
- VB, August 2003
Answer
Triglycerides are the structural form in which fat is found in foods and our bodies. A high level of triglycerides in the blood (above 250 mg/dl) can be found for several reasons. If you have just eaten a meal before your blood was tested, your triglycerides may be temporarily high in your blood stream. Measures are also effected by alcohol consumption, medications, hormones, menstrual cycle, time of day and recent exercise. For an accurate triglyceride assessment, two or three blood samples should be taken in the fasting state (no food or drink - except water- for 12 hours) at least one week apart.
If your triglycerides are truly elevated there could be several reasons. One, if you eat too many calories, the liver makes them into triglycerides, and your body stores it as fat. Secondly, if you drink alcohol, the liver produces more triglycerides that circulate in the blood. Stress may also be a contributor to elevated triglycerides.
High blood triglycerides, along with other risk factors, may increase your chance of developing heart disease. Other risk factors include high blood cholesterol, family history, smoking, high blood pressure and obesity.
If you find you do have high triglycerides there are several things you can do: choose to eat low-fat foods. Limit egg yolks to 3-4 per week and include plenty of grains and vegetables for fiber. Cutting down on fruit juice and dried fruit may lower triglycerides levels. Achieve and maintain a healthy weight. Get regular physical activity everyday. Stop smoking and if you drink alcohol, do so in moderation.
Back to your specific question, carbo-loading or gel/sports drink consumption will not, in themselves, cause high triglycerides. If these calories are above and beyond what you need (which I doubt since you are running long distance) the extra calories you consume may be stored as fat.
If you have done all of the above and still find your triglycerides elevated, drug therapy may be necessary, discuss this with your physician.
