Triglycerides

Triglycerides

Triglycerides are fats composed of glycerol and three fatty acids. They are the most common lipids in the human diet. Triglycerides in the fat stores in the abdomen and under the skin provide mechanical and thermal insulation to the body. If fasting for more than a day, a low-carbohydrate diet, or heavy exercise, stored triglycerides can be broken down to provide energy (about 9 Calories per gram) or converted to glucose or amino acids.

In the blood, triglycerides are transported by lipoproteins (compounds of lipids and proteins). Low and Very Low Density Lipoproteins (LDL and VLDL) contain high amounts of triglycerides while High Density Lipoproteins (HDL) contain low amounts of triglycerides.

Triglycerides: are fats composed of glycerol and three fatty acids.