what are triglycerides

Triglycerides are a type of fat, called lipid, that circulate in the blood. They are the most common type of fat in the body and come from foods, especially butter, oils, and other fats we eat. Triglycerides also come from extra calories that the body does not need right away, which are then stored in fat cells and released when the body needs energy. Triglycerides are made up of glycerol and three fatty acids. The simplest triglycerides are those where the three fatty acids are identical, and their names indicate the fatty acid, such as stearin derived from stearic acid, triolein derived from oleic acid, palmitin derived from palmitic acid, etc. . Triglycerides are a major component of body fat in humans and other vertebrates, as well as vegetable fat. High levels of triglycerides in the blood can raise the risk of heart diseases, such as coronary artery disease. Factors that can raise triglyceride levels include regularly eating more calories than you burn off, being overweight or having obesity, cigarette smoking, excessive alcohol use, certain medicines, some genetic disorders, thyroid diseases, poorly controlled type 2 diabetes, liver or kidney diseases, and more. Lifestyle changes such as controlling weight, regular physical activity, not smoking, limiting sugar and refined foods, and limiting alcohol intake can help lower triglyceride levels.