Triglycerides: 140 mg/dL

What does a triglyceride test result of 140 mean?

A triglyceride level of 140 mg/dL is considered optimal. Having a healthy triglyceride level is associated with better heart health and a lower risk of heart disease.

Factors that impact triglyceride test results

Your diet, weight, activity level, smoking, and alcohol consumption can impact triglyceride levels, as well as certain medications and diseases.

• Diet: Diets low in fiber and high in fat, added sugar, and refined carbohydrates can increase triglyceride levels.

• Weight: Having excess body fat, particularly around the abdomen, can also increase triglycerides. 

• Physical Activity: An active lifestyle can help lower triglyceride levels.

• Medications: Certain medicines, including corticosteroids, beta-blockers, thiazide diuretics, antivirals, and estrogen, can raise your triglyceride level.

• Some medical conditions: Diseases of the thyroid, liver, or kidney, as well as poorly controlled type 2 diabetes, can change triglyceride levels.

• Smoking: Smoking is associated with elevated triglycerides.

• Excessive alcohol consumption: Heavy drinking can raise triglyceride levels.

How to maintain optimal triglyceride levels

Keeping triglycerides in the optimal range is good for your overall health and can help lower your risk of developing heart disease in the future. 

Putting heart-healthy habits into place now can help offset natural increases in triglyceride and cholesterol levels as you get older. Here are some things you can do to help keep your levels in the optimal range:  

• Exercise for 30-60 minutes 5x/week or more.

• Lose excess weight by reducing calories.

• Choose whole grains over refined carbohydrates and limit added sugars to <25g/day.

• Choose healthy fats like those found in nuts, seeds, olive oil, avocados, and fatty fish like salmon.

• Avoid eating trans fats and limit your intake of saturated fat to <10% of total calories.

• Quit smoking.

• Limit alcohol consumption to <1-2 drinks/day.