Most fat in the body is in the form of triglycerides which are primarily stored in the adipose tissue and liver. It is one of the three main forms of lipids in the body, along with cholesterol and phospholipids. Triglycerides are derived from food or manufactured in the liver. It is transported through the body by bonding to lipoproteins – VLDL (very low density lipoproteins), IDL (intermediate density lipoproteins), LDL (low density lipoproteins), HDL (high density lipoproteins) and chylomicrons. These lipoproteins allow the water insoluble triglycerides to travel to various tissues and circulate through the blood stream. The main function of triglycerides is to serve as a source of energy but it is also a component of cell membranes although to a lesser extent than cholesterol and phospholipids. High levels of triglycerides are associated with elevated levels of VLDL, IDL and/or chylomicrons. These three lipoproteins carry the greatest concentration of triglycerides. LDL and HDL contain very small amounts of triglycerides but higher quantities of cholesterol. An elevation of triglycerides in the blood  is known as hypertriglyceridemia and is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. This is compounded by a high blood level of LDL cholesterol (LDL-C or the … Continue reading Triglycerides Levels – Blood Test Values, Normal and High Range