The holidays are coming… and so are triglycerides. We can have too many of these lipids from the liver’s processing of sugars and alcohol for genetic reasons. Because we are deprived of the enzyme that degrades them. But it remains outstanding. “This deficiency is often more measured or the enzyme simply less efficient,” describes Professor Jean Ferrières, head of the preventive cardiology department of the university hospital of Toulouse.
Most of those affected also have too much cholesterol, a big belly, eat too much sugar and/or drink too much alcohol. When, in a blood test (on an empty stomach), triglycerides are above 10 g/l, they are probably 30 g/l after a large meal. However, for a normal person, it should be between 2 and 2.5 g/l maximum (1.5 to 2 g/l on an empty stomach).
More than 10 g/l: danger
At more than 10 g/l, there is a risk of acute pancreatitis occurring. A serious event: “5-6% of patients, often young, die from it, emphasizes Professor Ferrières. Triglycerides are labile (change), making it difficult to assess pancreatitis risk: The enzyme can actually become overwhelmed during a fat and sugar onslaught, so triglyceride levels can drop spontaneously during hours of fasting. »
The symptoms of “indigestion” are harbingers of the crisis: stomach ache, the feeling of being ready to explode. They subside after some time on the diet. Here too, the Mediterranean diet (less fat, few quick sugars, fiber, plenty of water) is the best cure. If that’s not enough, we can add a drug.
