How do triglycerides differ from each other

Checking blood triglycerides requires a blood test. Several factors may affect triglyceride levels. For example, blood triglyceride levels may rise after a person eats, as the body creates more triglycerides from unused calories in a meal. According to the AHA, other factors affecting triglyceride levels include:. For adults, cholesterol ranges include:. However, there may be different guidelines, depending on where a person lives.

For example, the recommended normal level in South Africa is below The CDC recommend that healthy adults have their cholesterol levels checked every 4—6 years. However, some people may need more frequent testing. Sometimes, a blood test reveals undesirable levels of either triglycerides or cholesterol or both. High triglyceride levels may be a sign of underlying conditions or may increase the risk of some health conditions. Untreated high triglycerides may increase the risk of serious complications, such as atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease , stroke, and inflammation of the pancreas.

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute report that high triglycerides do not generally show any symptoms. High levels of cholesterol concentration in the blood can put a person at risk of heart attack and is a risk factor for heart disease.

When cholesterol builds up in arteries, it can cause a condition called atherosclerosis, in which the formation of plaques can restrict blood flow. A combination of high triglycerides and varying cholesterol levels may also be a cause for concern.

This combination increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. Diet and lifestyle choices are generally the first steps recommended by doctors to change triglyceride levels.

The three fatty acid groups can be either identical or different. Therefore, according to the type of fatty acid present in the triglyceride, the properties are different from one triglyceride to another. Moreover, these triglycerides can be monounsaturated or polyunsaturated according to the number of double bonds present in the triglyceride. Figure 2: An Unsaturated Triglyceride Molecule. Furthermore, triglycerides are helpful in absorption of certain nutrients that are fat-soluble.

Phospholipid: Phospholipid is a lipid composed of a phosphate group attached to a glycerol backbone. Triglyceride: Triglyceride is a lipid that is composed of a glycerol backbone attached to three fatty acid chains. Phospholipid: Phospholipids are composed of two fatty acid chains. Triglyceride: Triglycerides are composed of three fatty acid chains. Phospholipid: Phospholipids are composed of a phosphate group attached to the glycerol backbone. Triglyceride: Triglycerides has no phosphate groups attached to the glycerol backbone.

Phospholipid: Phospholipids make up the cell membrane of cells. Triglyceride: Triglycerides act as the fat storage in our body. Phospholipid: In the formation of a phospholipid molecule, two water molecules are released as byproducts of each phospholipid molecule. Triglyceride: In the formation of a triglyceride molecule, three water molecules are released as byproducts of each triglyceride molecule.

Alan Mozes. Alan Mozes is an NYC-based medical reporter and photographer. Blood tests can catch lipid problems so they can be treated via diet and medications. Video of the Day. Phospholipids and Triglycerides: Lipid Sisters. For Phospholipids, Design Equals Function.

Triglycerides: Energy on Tap. The High Triglyceride Problem. But therein lies a problem: high triglyceride levels. Phospholipids are not fats, since they have glycerol, two fatty acids and phosphorus. Phospholipids are more essential to the formation of lipid bilayers, which maintain cell membrane structure , than triglycerides are.

Fat cells store triglycerides, while phospholipids help break down fats in the body. Triglycerides are a kind of fat found in the bodies of both plants and animals. In plants, triglycerides appear in oils such as peanut oil, while in animals triglycerides live in fat cells. In both plants and animals, triglycerides share the same structure. A single triglyceride molecule has glycerol and three fatty acids. Triglycerides serve several functions in the body.

First, they help maintain the structure of cell membranes by forming a lipid bilayer. This helps keep the inside and outside of cells separate, so organelles cannot drift out of the cell, and foreign substances cannot get in, except under special circumstances. Triglycerides, like all fats, also store energy. When an animal or human eats, any calories from its food, which are not used right away get converted into triglycerides and stored in fat cells.