In: Biology
The building blocks of fats are called fatty acids and
contain a lot of carbon atoms. They vary depending on a little
structure called a double bond.
Let’s start by talking about the role of fat in the diet
Dietary fats are essential to give energy to the body and it support cell growth.They also help protecting the organs and help to keep the body warm.Fats help the body absorb some nutrients and produce important hormones.So,body needs fat.
There are four major dietary fats in the food that we eat.They are:
1.Saturated fats
2.Trans fats
3.Monosaturated fats
4.Polysaturated fats
The above mentioned four types of fats have different chemical structures and physical properties.The bad fats,saturated and trans fats,tend to be more solid at room temperature,while monosaturated and polysaturated fats tend to be more liquid.
fats can also have different effects on the cholesterol level in the body.The bad fats,saturated fats and trans fats raise bad cholesterol (LDL) levels in the blood.Monosaturated fats and polysaturated fats can lower ba dcholesterol levels and are more beneficial when consumed as a part of a healthy dietary pattern.
There are nine calories in every gram of fat,regerdless of what type of fat it is.Fats are more energy dense than carbohydrates and proteins,which provide four calories per gram.
Consuming high levels of calories-regardless of the source can lead to weight gain.Consuming high levels of saturated or trans fats can also lead to heart diseases and stroke.
Eating food with fat is a part of healthy diet.But balancing the amount of calories from all food with the amount of calories burn is important.
Good fats play vital role in different functions within the body.Nuts,fish and vegetable oil provide good fats that benifit the health.
Fat soluble vitamins include vitamin A,D,E and K.The vitamins dissolve in fat,and proper absorption requires the presence of the fat.
Fat plays a key role in brain development and health.Fat accounts for about 60 percent of brain and affects learning capabilities,hormones,moods and memory retention.During pregnency,women require more fatty acids or omega-3 fats ,a form of polysaturated fat,to promote the baby's brain and eye development.
The omega-3 fats help protect the body in a vaeriety ways.Omega-3 fats lower inflammation and may reduce pain accompanying it.Regular intake of omega-3 fats promotes helathy functioning of metabolic and immune system.Omega-3 fats help prevent stoke and heart disease,aid in contracting and relaxing artery wallsand play a key role in the development of hormones that regulate blood clotting within the body.
Consuming a healthy amount of fat ensures that body has appropriate stores of it.Fats cusions the organs in the body and helps protect them against injury or trauma.Additionally,fat helps maintain the body temperature and insulates and protects the nerves,alowing them to engage in impulse transmission and reception.
A major benifit of fat in the diet is its ability to supply energy.Fats especially triglyceroids-provide twice as much energy as carbohydrates or proteins.When fat is consumed,what doesn't get used as energy right away gets stored inside the cells.When body needs extra energy,fat storage is broken down.