The most common type of fat found in the body and the primary form in which energy is stored. Triglycerides are composed of three fatty acid molecules bound to a glycerol backbone. They circulate in the blood to provide fuel for muscles; however, an excess of triglycerides is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
Elevated triglyceride levels (hypertriglyceridemia) are often not caused by eating fat, but rather by the overconsumption of refined carbohydrates and sugars. When the liver processes excess glucose and fructose, it converts them into triglycerides through de novo lipogenesis. Reducing carbohydrate intake is typically the most effective way to rapidly lower blood triglyceride levels and improve the lipid profile.
The definitive guide by Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN