13.10.2021

The three most important nutrients for humans 2

What is lipid? 
What are saturated fatty acids, and how it works in our body?
What are unsaturated fatty acids, and how it works in our body?
What are cholesterol and Trans fatty acids?

What is lipid? 

In addition to being an energy source, lipids are also a material for cell membranes and hormones.

Like carbohydrates, it is a substance consisting of "carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen."

Most of the lipids contained in food are "neutral fats", which serve as an energy source and produce 9 kcal (37.7kJ) per gram.

Fatty acids that make up lipids are classified into "saturated fatty acids" and "unsaturated fatty acids."

What are saturated fatty acids, and how it works in our body?

Saturated fatty acids are contained in the fats of "meat" and "dairy products", and hydrogen is bonded to all carbons that are structurally linked in a chain.

Fats containing saturated fatty acids have a high melting point, so many are solid at room temperature.

It raises the concentration of fats in the blood such as triglycerides and cholesterol, and as hyper eating progresses, symptoms such as dyslipidaemia and arteriosclerosis may occur.

What are unsaturated fatty acids, and how it works in our body?

Basically, unsaturated fatty acids are abundant in "vegetable oils" and "fish and shellfish", and the structure is such that there are parts where carbons are double-bonded.

Those with one double bond are called "monounsaturated fatty acids" and those with two or more double bonds are called "polyunsaturated fatty acids".

You may feel uneasy about lipids and unsaturated, but it is good for your health.

Monounsaturated fatty acids are called "good" and lower total cholesterol to prevent arteriosclerosis. The famous one is (olive oil)

Polyunsaturated fatty acids are also not synthesized in the body and are similar to essential fatty acids, which are necessary nutrients.

There are three types, "linoleic acid", "α-linolenic acid", and "arachidonic acid", all of which work differently, so a well-balanced intake is required.

What are cholesterol and Trans fatty acids?

Cholesterol is one of the induced lipids and is an indispensable substance for sustaining life, such as being used as a material for cell membranes, bile acids, and sex hormones.

20-30% of it comes from food, but the remaining 70% is synthesized in the body (liver).

When cholesterol (LDL) sent out from the liver is higher than cholesterol (HDL) returned to the liver, it causes arteriosclerosis.

The standard value of cholesterol in the blood is "130-219mg / dℓ", and the value should not be too low.

If cholesterol is too low, blood vessels become brittle and prone to cerebral haemorrhage.

Trans fatty acids

Trans fatty acids are generated in the process of adding hydrogen to vegetable oils in order to improve the texture, flavour, and storage stability of foods.

This trans fatty acid is abundant in margarine and shortening.

High intakes of trans fatty acids increase the risk of heart disease.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that your daily intake be less than 1% of your total energy intake.

English is my second language, so you may find incorrect sentences.

It would be great help if you leave a comment for me. 

Thank you for reading!