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Obesity and Triglycerides Obesity has a direct causal link with
high levels of triglycerides. Triglycerides
are the primary fat in our bodies, the main constituent in our energy
system. People who are overweight tend to have much higher levels of
these fats. Obesity is on the rise throughout the Western World, and
with it comes the elevation in triglyceride levels. It is clear to
most observers that lifestyle habits are at the core of the growing
obesity pandemic. That is, in fact, good news. Lifestyles are chosen.
That means that the power to control triglycerides is within the
reach of most people. Some causes of obesity are beyond individual
control. But many of then are not. We can make the choice to
exercise and follow through on that decision with a regular,
progressive program that features both aerobic and anaerobic
movements. We can also discipline ourselves to control our diet. Our
diet – what we eat – plays a critical role in determining our
triglyceride levels.
Triglycerides
come to the body through the foods we eat and the body makes more of
them from other foods that we eat. Diets high in certain foods and
low in others cause the body to create and store inordinate amounts
of triglycerides. A case in point is sugar. Simple sugars convert
easily into triglycerides. So, too, do many other simple
carbohydrates. To avoid becoming obese and having high levels of
triglycerides, you should severely cut back on your intake of simple
carbohydrates.
A 2003 study showed that obesity can
increases intra-myocellular triglyceride peroxidation.
Intra-myocellular triglycerides (IMTG) accumulate in the muscle of
obese humans and are considered a pathogenic factor in the
development of insulin resistance. In the study the lipid
peroxidation/IMTG ratio was 4.2-fold higher in obese subjects than in
subjects who’s weight was within the normal range.
Obesity and Diabetes Week: 11-10-03
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