What is a triglyceride (TG)?

TGs are a type of fat that store energy for your body.^1,9

Triglycerides are the most common type of fat in your body. TGs come from the food you eat, such as butter, oil, meat, and nuts. They also come from the extra calories that your body does not use right away. Your body packages these extra calories into triglycerides.^40,42 

This makes TGs an important source of energy.^1,9 Triglycerides travel through the bloodstream for immediate use by other parts of the body. They are stored in fat tissue when not needed.^9,10 You can then use these stored TGs later, when your body needs the energy.^40,42

While TGs play an important role in the body, too many of them can lead to problems.^1,2