WHAT ARE FATS?
Fats are essential molecules to the survival of anyone. Although they
have this whole taboo about them fats are one of if not the most important
macro nutrient to include in your diet. Fats contain the highest energy density
per molecule; they play a vital role in protecting our cells and organs and
ensure nearly all bodily functions run smoothly. Again Fats are made up of
smaller sub molecules known as fatty acids; we produce fats primarily in our
body but some cannot be synthesised if we do not eat essential fatty acids,
called essential because our body cannot produce them so we rely on food to
provide these. Fats can be saturated, monounsaturated or polyunsaturated and
Trans fats. Saturated fats and trans fats are the ones to keep very low in your
diet, these fats are solid at room temperatures and so solid in your body and
are more than likely to get stored as adipose tissue (body fat) or block your
arteries and veins leading to heart attacks. Mono and polyunsaturated fats are
liquids at room temperature and so they are liquid in the body and these are
the essential fats that help maintain our cell fluidity, aid in lubrication of
joints and provide oils to maintain our skin PH and keep hair healthy.
Fats are essential molecules to the survival of anyone. Although they
have this whole taboo about them fats are one of if not the most important
macro nutrient to include in your diet. Fats contain the highest energy density
per molecule; they play a vital role in protecting our cells and organs and
ensure nearly all bodily functions run smoothly. Again Fats are made up of
smaller sub molecules known as fatty acids; we produce fats primarily in our
body but some cannot be synthesised if we do not eat essential fatty acids,
called essential because our body cannot produce them so we rely on food to
provide these. Fats can be saturated, monounsaturated or polyunsaturated and
Trans fats. Saturated fats and trans fats are the ones to keep very low in your
diet, these fats are solid at room temperatures and so solid in your body and
are more than likely to get stored as adipose tissue (body fat) or block your
arteries and veins leading to heart attacks. Mono and polyunsaturated fats are
liquids at room temperature and so they are liquid in the body and these are
the essential fats that help maintain our cell fluidity, aid in lubrication of
joints and provide oils to maintain our skin PH and keep hair healthy.
WHAT DO FATS DO IN OUR BODY?
Fats have a vast range of functions in the body. From being
stored as body fat to be broken down into glucose for energy and to restore
blood sugar levels, helping control what enters and leaves all of your cells so
they can perform necessary life functions, Form the basis of sex hormones and
hormones in the body and they also provide insulation. Around every cell in
your body is a double layer of fatty molecules called phospholipids. (a
molecule of fat connected to phosphorous), now because the fatty tals repel water
and the phosphorous attracts water, they form a double membrane around each
cell and prevent unwanted molecules entering, this is also key for maintaining
a gradient across its cell surface to allow ions such as sodium and potassium
to enter. Fats contain 9 calories of energy per gram, compared to 4g per
calorie with carbohydrates and proteins. Therefore this makes it perfect as an
energy resource and so the body has developed hormones such as insulin and
glucagon to store and release this energy when needed.
WHAT IS CHOLESTEROL?
Cholesterol is a
sterol molecule and falls into the category of a lipid (fat). Cholesterol in
large quantities can be deadly as it causes a thick accumulation in arteries
and veins that can lead to heart attacks. However it plays a key role in
steroid hormone synthesis e.g. testosterone and regulates the fluidity of your
cell membranes by wedging itself between the phospholipid bilayer and so is
essential in enabling our bodies to adjust to different temperatures.
WHERE CAN I FIND FATS?
As mentioned before try to make your daily intake of fat as
much unsaturated fats as possible, staying away from saturated and Trans fats.
Sources of Saturated/ Trans fats:
Burgers, Sausages, Pizza, fries, Full fat mayonnaise
Sources of good unsaturated fats:
Vegetable oil, seeds and nuts, peanut butter, light
mayonnaise
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