wa371@sdcc12.UUCP (Senior Gnome) (07/24/85)
What is the function of triglycerides in the body?
I recently had a thorough medical checkup and was found to be completely
healthy. The only abnormal finding was a lower than normal
level of triglycerides. What significance does that have?
Could that be due to my being a vegetarian?
Cheers,
Bernd <bear-nd> (Temporarily assigned to planet earth.)
UUCP: universe!milkyway!solarsys!earth!ihnp4!sdcsvax!sdcc12!wa371
ARPA: sdcsvax!sdcc12!wa371@nosclarry@kitty.UUCP (Larry Lippman) (07/29/85)
> What is the function of triglycerides in the body? > I recently had a thorough medical checkup and was found to be completely > healthy. The only abnormal finding was a lower than normal > level of triglycerides. What significance does that have? > Could that be due to my being a vegetarian? Cells consist primarily of proteins, enzymes, coenzymes, carbohydrates, lipids, and water. Triglycerides, which are properly called triacylglycerols, comprise that category of lipid commonly know as ``fats''. Triacylglycerols are esters of the alcohol glycerol. Triacylglycerols store energy, and contain more energy per weight than carbohydrates or proteins. Triacylglycerols are transported throughout the body by means of the blood; therefore measuring their concentration in blood is a good indicator of whole body capacity. The normal concentration of triacylglycerols varies depending upon age, but a typical adult range is 40 to 150 mg/100 ml for serum, and 80 to 240 mg/100 ml for plasma. Since I don't know which test was performed, I have given you both values; serum is more common. There would be more medical concern for a higher than normal value than a lower one. Being a vegetarian would well account for a lower value, which is probably not harmful if you are in otherwise good health. Please note that triacylglycerol (triglycerides as you called them) concentration is *NOT* the same as cholesterol, and is not indicative of your serum cholesterol concentration - which is another matter. Larry Lippman Recognition Research Corp. Clarence, New York UUCP {decvax,dual,rocksanne,rocksvax,watmath}!sunybcs!kitty!larry {rice,shell}!baylor!kitty!larry syr!buf!kitty!larry VOICE 716/741-9185 TELEX {via WUI} 69-71461 answerback: ELGECOMCLR "Have you hugged your cat today?"
werner@aecom.UUCP (Craig Werner) (07/29/85)
> What is the function of triglycerides in the body? > I recently had a thorough medical checkup and was found to be completely > healthy. The only abnormal finding was a lower than normal > level of triglycerides. What significance does that have? > Could that be due to my being a vegetarian? > Congratulations. You're perfectly healthy. The finding is not so much 'abnormal' as 'unusual' and is compatible with a long life. Triglycerides are three fatty acids joined to a molecule of glycerol, hence, 'tri'-'glycer'-'ides.' They are the body's method of transporting fat in the blood (or I should say, one of the methods). Being a vegetarian is most likely directly responsible for this fine state of affairs, since no animal fat is being consumed. High triglycerides are something to worry about, since like high cholesterol (the two are usually elevated together), it is almost directly related with the incidence of heart disease, etc. However, there is nothing I can say about this that any margarine commercial hasn't already said. -- Craig Werner !philabs!aecom!werner "The world is just a straight man for you sometimes"