Essentail Fatty Acids Your body needs a number of fatty acids for normal growth and development. Your body can make most of these. Essential fatty acids are those your body cannot make and you have to get from food sources

Functions of Lipids Lipids are a concentrated source of energy. Fats provide 9 calories per gram vs. Carbohydrates 4 calories per gram Lipids are stored in adipose tissue to hold in body heat. Body fat surrounds organs and acts like a shock absorber. Vitamins A, D, E, and K dissolve in fat and are carried into your body with fat in foods.

Functions of Lipids (continued) Lipids are needed to form healthy cell membranes. Fat affects the tastes, textures, and aromas of foods.

Lipid Digestion and Absorption When food reaches the stomach, the food separates from the watery contents of the stomach and floats on top. Fat mixes with bile in the small intestine, which acts as an emulsifier. The bile breaks the fat into tiny droplets which increases the surface area. This makes it easier for the pancreatic enzymes to break the triglycerides down. Which improves the absorption of the fat in the intestine.

Lipid Transport in the Body Lipids travel in the bloodstream to tissues throughout the body. Glycerol and short-chain fatty acids pass through the intestinal lining directly into the bloodstream. Monoglycerides and long-chain fatty acids are converted back into triglycerides. They form in balls with cholesterol, phospholipids, and proteins forming chylomicrons.

Lipid Transport in the Body (continued) Chylomicrons carry dietary fat to body cells. They are absorbed into the lymphatic system. Then they move into the bloodstream.

Lipid Use for Energy Body cells can take up fatty acids from the bloodstream. Cells break down fatty acids further to release energy for immediate use. If cells do not have immediate energy needs, they can rebuild the fatty acids into triglycerides. Most cells can store only limited amounts of triglycerides, but fat cells can hold almost a limitless supply.