Triglycerides

Neutral fats are glycerol and fatty acid esters. These are reserve fats that are the main source of endogenous energy. Triglycerides in adipose tissue make up 60-85% of their mass. Triglyceride is an ester composed of glycerol (glycerin) combined with three fatty acids, which can be saturated and unsaturated. The human body is dominated by saturated palmitic and oleic (omega-9) acids. Triglycerides enter the body with food or are synthesized in the body itself (in the liver, adipose tissue, small intestine mucosa, muscles). Triglycerides ingested with food are hydrolyzed in the digestive tract by lipase enzymes. The rate of synthesis depends on the amount of fatty acids obtained from food. Triglycerides enter the blood in the form of chylomicrons (lipoprotein carrying triglycerides). Fatty acids produced in tissues are either consumed or synthesized back into triglycerides.

Source | Glossary of Most Commonly Used Biomedical Terms and Concepts | Lithuanian University of Health Sciences | Academician Professor Antanas Praškevičius, Professor Laima Ivanovienė