Nutrition - Chapter 4

What are fats chemically composed of?

Carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.

What is the primary characteristic that differentiates fats from carbohydrates?

Fats are hydrophobic.

Name the three types of fats.

Triglycerides, phospholipids, and sterols.

What is the structure of triglycerides?

Glycerol plus three fatty acids.

What percentage of fats in foods are triglycerides?

98%.

What is the difference between saturated and unsaturated fatty acids?

Saturated fatty acids have no double bonds between carbon atoms, while unsaturated fatty acids have one or more double bonds.

What are monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs)?

Fatty acids with one double bond; examples include olive oil and canola oil.

What are polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs)?

Fatty acids with multiple double bonds; examples include corn oil and omega-3 fatty acids.

What are the two essential polyunsaturated fatty acids?

Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and linoleic acid.

What roles do essential fatty acids play in the body?

They maintain healthy skin, promote normal growth in children, and support nervous tissue growth.

What are symptoms of fatty acid deficiency?

Poor growth in children, poor wound healing, scaly dry skin, changes in immune function, and increased water loss through skin.

What are saturated fatty acids like at room temperature?

They are hard (solid), such as butter.

What are trans fats?

Unsaturated fats that behave like saturated fats in the body, often created through hydrogenation.

What health risks are associated with trans fats?

Increased blood cholesterol levels and higher risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.

What is cholesterol classified as?

A non-essential nutrient.

What are the two sources of cholesterol in the body?

Liver synthesis (⅔) and diet (⅓).

What is the primary function of fats in the diet?

They are a concentrated source of energy, providing 9 kcals per gram.

What role do fats play in food?

They enhance flavor, smell, and texture, and help absorb fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K).

What is the recommended percentage of total daily calories from fat for adults?

20% to 35%.

What is the recommendation for saturated fat intake?

As low as possible, ideally less than 10% of total daily calories.

What dietary modifications can help with cardiac health?

Eat fish twice a week, focus on unsaturated fats, and limit high-fat foods.

What is the risk of high-fat intake?

Increased risk of obesity and cardiovascular disease.

What are the consequences of too little fat intake?

Essential fatty acid deficiency and deficiency of fat-soluble vitamins.

What is a key enzyme for fat digestion?

Lipase.

Where does the majority of fat digestion occur?

In the duodenum.

What is the function of bile in fat digestion?

It emulsifies fat in the small intestine.

What is the AMDR for fat intake in infants?

50% of total daily calories.