01/29/2026
The Body’s Main Energy Storage Molecules
Triglycerides are the primary form in which fat is stored in the body. They are made of one glycerol molecule attached to three fatty acid chains. When you eat more calories than your body needs, the extra energy is converted into triglycerides and stored in fat cells. During fasting or physical activity, these triglycerides are broken down to release energy.
Triglycerides also help insulate the body and protect organs. However, high levels of triglycerides in the blood increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and metabolic disorders. They are not harmful by nature, but when balance is lost, they become dangerous. Triglycerides represent how the body saves energy for survival, and how excess can turn into risk.