When it comes to the study of triglycerides one of the best places to start is The Heart Scan blog.  The other resource is to read Good Calories, Bad Calories by Gary Taubes.  Until then, consider the following information.

“Triglycerides, as major components of very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and chylomicrons, play an important role in metabolism as energy sources and transporters of dietary fat. They contain more than twice as much energy (9 kcal/g) as carbohydrates and proteins.”

“When the body requires fatty acids as an energy source, the hormone glucagon signals the breakdown of the triglycerides by hormone-sensitive lipase to release free fatty acids.”

-excerpt from Wikipedia

It should be noted that the Wikipedia entry about reducing your level of triglycerides states the following: “to lower triglyceride levels, one may reduce consumption of fats, alcohol and carbohydrates, particularly in rice, and engage in aerobic exercise” falsely implying that reduction in the consumption amount of FATS is more important then the reduction of the consumption of carbohydrates, and carbs from rice?  No mention of the high levels of sugar, HFCS, and wheat that our modern diets are chopped full of, and how this is a huge contributer.

But that, my friends is for another discussion, and as you learn more, you’ll understand why (tip of the hat to Sisson) Convential Wisdom is promoting one big Fat lie.  For now, best to understand just what a triglyceride is, before getting into how they are formed and how to have healthy amounts of them.  Here’s a good animation clip.