T2 - Fat - P1

Topic 2 – Fat – Part 1

The simplest unit of fat in out diet is the Fatty-Acid.

There are three general types of Fatty-Acids (FA), Saturated Fatty-Acids and Unsaturated Fatty-Acids; Monounsaturated and Polyunsaturated).

The often discussed Omega-3 and Omega-6 are both Polyunsaturated Fatty-Acids.

The form of fat in our diet and its major storage form of fat in the body are called Triglycerides. Triglycerides, (Tri- three), are formed of 3 Fatty-Acids.

The same or combinations of Fatty-Acids can make-up a Triglyceride, most are in the form of combinations. A Triglyceride can be made from 1 Saturated, 1 Monounsaturated and 1 Polyunsaturated or 3 Saturated Fatty-Acids, any of a number of combinations.

For example, while most people consider eggs to be rich in Saturated Fat, eggs actually contain more monounsaturated Fatty-Acids (FA). This is made-up of 39% Saturated, 43% monounsaturated and 18% Polyunsaturated, so really a great natural whole mix of all 3 groups of FA’s.

Dietary Fat has 6 major roles-

-It provides an energy source; in fact it’s the most energy dense of micronutrients.

-It aids in the manufacture and balance of hormones, (along with Protein as stated in our last Topic).

-It forms the membranes of all of our cells, (cholesterol – more on this in further topics).

-It forms our brains and nervous systems, pretty important there!

-It helps transport Vitamins A, D, E and K.

-Here we go with essentials again! it provides 2 essential Fatty-Acids that the body can’t produce – Linoleic Acid (an Omega-6 FA) and Linolenic Acid (an Omega-3 FA).

Overall Human Health is determined by the ingested and absorbed balance of the Fatty-Acids consumed.

This is a brief explanation as to what dietary fat is and its use and roles in our whole balanced unprocessed organic nutritious food intake. The next part, part 2, will look at the effects of unbalanced fat intake, deficient fat intake and what these fats actually do for us everyday.

Until then, Be Active, Eat Whole & Unprocessed, Choose Health!