Triglycerides are a type of fat that floats around in our body and can also be found in animals and plants. As the name already suggests, this fat is composed of three fatty acids and a glycerol molecule. High triglycerides in our blood are associated with an increased risk for atherosclerosis, as well as heart diseases and stroke. Some people are even more susceptible to high triglyceride levels than others due to genetic predisposition.