Triglycerides are a type of fat that is found in the blood. Triglycerides are also known as fat, fat cells, lipids and lipoid.
Each time you eat, your body processes food to energize different parts of the body. When you eat more calories than you burn, these calories are processed as triglycerides, stored as fat cells and generally lead to weight gain.
High triglycerides are most commonly caused by excessive carbohydrate and glucose consumption, triglycerides are also produced in the liver.
Triglycerides & your risk of heart disease
- Triglycerides may increase your risk of heart disease by contributing to the hardening and thickening of the artery walls.
- Significantly high triglycerides may also lead to inflammation in the body, most notably the pancreas, this causes a condition called pancreatitis.
Where do triglycerides come from?
- Triglycerides are produced in the liver. Food is also a significant source of triglycerides. The more calories you eat, the more triglycerides your liver produces.
- If you eat more calories than your burn, you are at an increased risk of living with high triglycerides. (hypertriglyceridemia).
Some of the functions of triglycerides include:
- Triglycerides play a role in the formation and synthesis of certain hormones.
- Triglycerides store unused calories that provide the body with the energy it needs it.
