Final answer:
High triglycerides can cause acute pancreatitis by leading to an overload of free fatty acids in the pancreas. Lifestyle changes and medications can help manage triglyceride levels. During digestion, triglycerides are broken down and reabsorbed to circulate within the body.
Step-by-step explanation:
Yes, high triglycerides can cause acute pancreatitis. When triglyceride levels become extremely elevated, it can lead to an overload of free fatty acids in the pancreas, which in turn may cause pancreatic inflammation and damage, manifesting as pancreatitis. This condition is known as hyperlipoproteinemia type IV or hypertriglyceridemia, and the prevalence of high triglyceride levels (>200 mg/dl) is about 16% of the adult population.
To manage high triglyceride levels, healthy lifestyle choices are critical. They include cutting back on calories and avoiding sugary and refined foods, as excess calories and simple carbohydrates can elevate triglyceride levels. If lifestyle modifications are insufficient, prescription medications may be necessary to help lower triglyceride levels.
In the digestive process, pancreatic lipases collaborate with bile salts to break down triglycerides into monoglycerides and fatty acids, which can be absorbed by the intestinal cells and recombined into triglycerides within the cells. Then, packaged as chylomicrons with cholesterol, the triglycerides move through the lymphatic and circulatory systems, eventually being stored in adipose tissue or transported to the liver.