Fats

Fat Caloric Value

9 kcal/g

Triglycerides

Composed of a glycerol containing 3 fatty acids and most common type of fat stored in the body

Fatty Acids

The building blocks of fat molecules and determine their properties

Saturated Fats

Fats that are solid at room temperature (butter)

Unsaturated Fats

Fats that are liquid at room temperature (oils)

Essential Fatty Acids

Fats not synthesized in the body and must come entirely from one's diet

Omega-3

Essential fatty acid that is associated with heart benefits

Omega-6

Essential fatty acid that is responsible for raising blood pressure, immune response, and inflammation

Sources of Omega Fatty Acids

Fatty fish, leafy greens, walnuts, soy, and canola oil

Nonessential Fatty Acids

Fats that can be assembled in the body as long as appropriate materials are present

Phospholipids

Type of water-soluble fat that helps build cell membranes

Lingual Lipase

Enzyme found in saliva that initiates digestion of fats

Gastric Lipase

Enzyme found in the chief cells and breaks triglycerides into diglyceeides and fatty acids

Bile

Produced from cholesterol in the liver and acts as an emulsifier for fats

Pancreatic Lipase

Enzyme that finalizes the breakdown of fats into their smallest components

Chylomicrons

Lipoprotein responsible for transporting dietary fats from intestines to tissues

Adipose Tissue

The tissue responsible for storing fats

Visceral Fat

Fat located around the organs

Subcutaneous Fat

Fat located beneath the skin and regulates temperature

Lipoproteins

Particles consisting of fats and proteins that transports fats around the body

Very-Low Density Lipoprotein (VLDL)

The precursor to LDL that transports triglycerides from the liver to other tissues

Low Density Lipoproteins (LDL)

The lipoprotein responsible for delivering fats to tissues

Composition: 25% protein, 50% cholesterol

High Density Lipoproteins (HDL)

The lipoprotein responsible for delivering fats to the liver

Composition: 33% protein, 30% cholesterol

Fat AMDR

20-35% of daily calories

Lipoprotein Lipase (LPL)

Enzyme responsible for taking fats out of chylomicrons and lipoproteins so they can enter cells

Micelles

Bile + fats and fat-soluble vitamins/minerals

Hormone Sensitive Lipase (HSL)

Enzyme responsible for taking fats out of adipose cells

Oleic Acid

The most abundant fatty acid in nature found in plant and animal sources

Hydrogenation

The process of forming semisolid fats from liquid fats (trans fat production)

Lecithin

Essential structural lipid found in cell membranes (soybeans and egg yolks)

Sphingomyelin

Lipid residing in the myelin sheath thst surrounds nerve ending axons

Cholesterol

The most abundant and important steroid lipid in the body

Normal Plasma Levels: 175 mg/100 mL

Familial Hypercholesterolemia

Condition where there are insufficient LDL receptors (responsible for uptake of LDL into cells); plasmas cholesterol can reach levels as high as 680 mg/100 mL