Are Cholesterol and Triglycerides the Same?- Understanding the Difference

Abstract

Heart health plays a vital role in maintaining the overall health and levels of cholesterol and triglycerides plays an important role in maintaining heart health. The rapid increase in the size of the heart disease problem over the past few years has resulted in increased awareness of the seriousness of the problem and the need for people to take steps to control their risk of heart disease. Factors and medical conditions related to heart conditions include cholesterol and triglycerides. They are both lipids (fats) that are in the blood and high levels of either cause heart or circulation problems. Since they are both fat people often think of them as the same thing, which is wrong. They differ in their functions and knowing about the differences is important to understand what they do and how they affect heart health. In this article we will discuss how triglycerides and cholesterol are different from each other and why they matter for our heart health.

Introduction

There are two sources of cholesterol and triglycerides – the dietary source and the “endogenous” source (produced within the body). Dietary cholesterol and triglycerides come primarily from eating meat and dairy products. These dietary lipids are absorbed through your intestine and then transported through the bloodstream to the liver, where they are processed. Cholesterol and triglycerides are made in the body and found in food we eat. Both cholesterol and triglycerides are important for daily body functions like cell building and digestion, and too much of any one of these substances can damage arteries and lead to heart conditions. Although it is common to think of these heart-related levels together, triglycerides and cholesterol are not the same. It’s possible that both may be high, both may be healthy, or one may be in the healthy range while the other is high. This is because they can occur and subside due to various factors.

How are Triglycerides and Cholesterol different from each other?

Triglycerides and Cholesterol are both the types of lipids that circulate in the body, but the body uses them in different ways.

1. Cholesterol

Cholesterol is found in blood and the food we eat. It is used to build cells and certain hormones. It is made in the liver, and the body needs it to digest food and absorb it. The hormones that cholesterol helps produce include hormones related to sex drive and activity. In male this hormone is known as testosterone. In women, there are 2 hormones – estrogen and progesterone. Cholesterol also helps in the production of cortisol, a hormone that helps regulate stress levels in both men and women. Cholesterol produces vitamin D when the skin is exposed to sunlight. It also helps in the production of bile which is used by the digestive system to digest fats and absorb vitamins A, D, E and K.

2. Triglycerides

Triglycerides are produced in the liver from fatty acids and glucose. A chain of glucose called glycerol is formed. The 3 fatty acids are then joined into chains known as triglycerides. Triglycerides are deposited either in the liver or in the muscles. When the body needs energy, triglycerides are broken down to produce it. The remaining fatty acids are carried by the blood back to the liver where they are once again attached to the glycerol chain to become triglycerides. Most triglycerides are stored in fat cells and stored under skin, but some triglycerides circulate around internal organs.

3. Functions

The main difference between triglycerides and cholesterol is that Cholesterol is used to build cells in the body and helps in the production of certain hormones, and Triglycerides are burned by metabolism to create energy needed for the body to function. Cholesterol is produced by the body while triglycerides are consumed to provide it with energy.

What is Considered Normal?

Triglycerides

• Normal: less than 150mg/dl or less than 1.7mmol/L
• Borderline High: 150 to 188 mg/dl or 1.8 to 2.2mmol/L
• High: 200 to 499 mg/dl or 2.3 to 5.6mmol/L
• Very High: 500 mg/dl or above (5.7mmol/L or above)

Cholesterol

• Normal: 199 mg/dl or lower
• Borderline: 200-239 mg/dl
• High: Over 240 mg/dl

The Effects of High Cholesterol and triglycerides

Both high cholesterol and triglycerides can affect heart health

1. Effect of high cholesterol

• Atherosclerosis
• Stroke
• Heart attack
• Heart failure
• Risk of coronary artery disease.

2. Effect of High triglycerides

• Heart failure
• Heart attack
• Arteriosclerosis
• Kidney disease
• Pancreatic cancer
• Metabolic syndrome
• Liver disease
• Diabetes

Diet and lifestyle changes to lower cholesterol and triglycerides changes