Myths vs facts: Triglyceride and Sport

Myths vs facts: Triglycerides and sport. A common myth is that exercise immediately lowers triglycerides. In reality, acute exercise can transiently increase free fatty acids, while chronic endurance training reduces fasting triglycerides by 10–20%. Another myth: only high-intensity exercise works. Moderate activity like brisk walking also improves triglyceride metabolism. Fact: Combining weight loss, a Mediterranean diet, and regular exercise is more effective than exercise alone. Important: Triglycerides are strongly influenced by recent meals – a single post-fatty-meal value is not diagnostic. For very high levels (>500 mg/dL), medical evaluation is needed due to pancreatitis risk. Evidence comes from observational and interventional studies, not from the provided context. Therefore, the evidence grade is 'practice'.