When you consume more calories than you use, the body stores them as triglycerides in the fat cells for use later. Triglycerides are are type of lipid and a type of cholesterol. Since triglycerides cannot be dissolved in the bloodstream, then can build up and cause problems in the arteries like the thickening of arterial walls or hardening of the arteries, which contributes to the risk for stroke and heart attack. To decrease triglycerides, it is best to lose weight, avoid processed sugars and trans fats, and to focus on healthy fats, like those found in plants - canola oil, olive oil- and omega-3 fatty acids that are found in fish.