Triglycerides are a type of fat (lipid) in your blood that serve as a major source of energy storage.
Characteristics of Triglycerides
Here's a breakdown of what makes up triglycerides:
- Composition: Triglycerides are made of three fatty acids attached to a glycerol molecule.
- Lipid Type: They are classified as fats, belonging to the broader category of lipids.
- Blood Presence: Triglycerides circulate in your bloodstream.
- Storage: Your body stores excess calories as triglycerides in fat cells.
Functions of Triglycerides
Triglycerides have key roles in the body:
- Energy Storage:
- They are the primary way your body stores energy long-term.
- When you consume more calories than you need, your body converts the extra calories into triglycerides for storage.
- Energy Source:
- Between meals, when your body needs energy, hormones release stored triglycerides from fat cells.
- These triglycerides are broken down to provide fuel for bodily functions.
- Transportation: Triglycerides are carried in the blood to tissues that need them for energy production.
Triglycerides in the Diet
Triglycerides in your blood come from two sources:
- Food Consumption: Dietary fats are broken down into triglycerides during digestion.
- Body Conversion: Your body turns excess calories from carbohydrates and proteins into triglycerides when they're not immediately needed.
Summary Table
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Type | Fat (Lipid) |
| Composition | Three fatty acids bound to a glycerol molecule |
| Primary Role | Long-term energy storage and provision |
| Location | Bloodstream and fat cells |
| Source | Dietary fats and conversion of excess calories by the body |
| Function | Released by hormones for energy between meals. |
