How to Increase Serum Triglyceride Levels
You should not intentionally increase triglyceride levels, as elevated triglycerides are associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk and pancreatitis. 1 However, if you are asking about factors that raise triglycerides (to avoid or understand them), here is the evidence-based information:
Dietary Factors That Increase Triglycerides
High Carbohydrate Intake
- Consuming high amounts of added sugars and refined carbohydrates directly increases hepatic triglyceride production. Very-low-fat (10%), high-carbohydrate diets enriched in simple sugars can increase plasma triglyceride levels by 10-20% through stimulation of fatty acid synthesis. 1, 2, 3
- For every 5% decrease in total fat intake replaced by carbohydrates, triglyceride levels are predicted to increase by 6%. 1
- Replacing any fatty acid class with dietary carbohydrates increases fasting triglyceride levels. 1
Alcohol Consumption
- Even modest alcohol intake (approximately 1 ounce per day) corresponds to a 5-10% higher triglyceride concentration compared to non-drinkers. 1, 4
- The effects of alcohol are synergistically exaggerated when coupled with meals high in saturated fat, as alcohol impairs chylomicron hydrolysis and increases triglyceride-rich VLDL production. 4
- Excess alcohol consumption can precipitate marked triglyceride elevation often ≥250 mg/dL and trigger hypertriglyceridemic pancreatitis. 4
Saturated and Trans Fats
- Dietary trans fatty acids increase triglycerides and atherogenic lipoproteins. Each 1% replacement of trans fatty acids for monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fat lowers triglyceride levels by 1%, meaning trans fats have the opposite effect. 1
- High saturated fat intake, particularly when combined with alcohol, synergistically raises triglycerides. 4
Medical Conditions That Increase Triglycerides
Metabolic Disorders
- Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus is often the primary driver of severe hypertriglyceridemia, as poor glycemic control dramatically increases triglyceride production. 1, 4
- Obesity and visceral adiposity are strongly associated with elevated triglyceride levels due to reduced oxidation of muscle fatty acids. 4
- Hypothyroidism elevates triglyceride levels and must be treated before expecting full lipid-lowering response. 4
Organ Dysfunction
- Chronic kidney disease and nephrotic syndrome elevate triglyceride levels. 4
- Chronic liver disease contributes to disordered triglyceride metabolism. 4
Medications That Raise Triglycerides
- Estrogen therapy can greatly influence triglyceride levels, particularly oral contraceptive preparations in women of reproductive age. Oral postmenopausal hormone preparations increase triglycerides more than transdermal preparations. 4
- Thiazide diuretics and beta-blockers raise triglycerides. 4
- Corticosteroids increase triglyceride levels. 4
- Antiretroviral medications used in HIV treatment elevate triglycerides. 4
- Atypical antipsychotics can raise triglyceride levels. 4
Lifestyle Factors
Physical Inactivity
- A sedentary lifestyle is strongly associated with elevated triglyceride levels, whereas regular aerobic training decreases triglycerides by approximately 11%. 4, 5
Weight Gain
- Excess body weight and visceral adiposity are important factors in hypertriglyceridemia. Conversely, a 5-10% weight loss results in a 20% decrease in triglycerides. 1, 5
Clinical Context
The 25% rise in triglyceride levels in US adults during the past several decades has coincided with higher caloric intake and higher rates of juvenile obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. 1 This alarming trend, if not proactively addressed, may eradicate the considerable progress in cardiovascular disease risk reduction that has been achieved in recent years. 1
Optimal fasting triglyceride levels are <100 mg/dL, as observational studies and clinical trials have consistently demonstrated the lowest risk of incident and recurrent cardiovascular disease in association with the lowest fasting triglyceride levels. 1