1. More Facts on Fats
Lipids and Health

3. The Fats Saturated Unsaturated Hydrogenated Trans fats
triglycerides containing saturated fatty acids
Unsaturated
Contain unsaturated fatty acids
Double bond usually has cis conformation
Hydrogenated
Addition of hydrogens to unsaturated fats to make them more solid at room temperature
Trans fats
Contain unsaturated fatty acids in trans conformation

4. Lipids & Cholesterol Lipids are hydrophobic Blood contains water
Lipids are conjugated with proteins in order to be transported in blood
Lipid + protein = lipoprotein
3 types of lipoproteins:
High-density lipoproteins (HDL) aka good cholesterol
Carry cholesterol from the rest of the body to the liver
Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) aka bad cholesterol
Carry cholesterol from liver to the rest of the body
Very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) - this one is an ugly one
Carry triglycerides from liver to adipose tissue
Excess cholesterol can be detected by measuring the amount of lipoproteins present in the blood

5. Atherosclerosis "Hardening of the arteries"
Slow process that may start in childhood
Over time, walls of arteries become damaged
- Fatty tissues release compounds that promote healing through plaque build-up

6. Plaque Fatty substance made up of cholesterol, fat and calcium
Builds up over damaged area, but causes the artery to become narrowed
Narrowed tube = higher pressure (think of putting your thumb over end of hose)
Higher pressure sometimes causes more damage to the artery walls

8. Risk Factors
Atherosclerosis may start when certain factors damage the inner layers of the arteries. These factors include:
Smoking
High amounts of certain fats and cholesterol in the blood
High blood pressure
High amounts of sugar in the blood due to insulin resistance or diabetes

9. So…
Arteries that are blocked cannot provide the heart with needed oxygen/nutrients
Lack of oxygen leads to death of tissue
Also can cause embolism- chunk of plaque breaks off and enters bloodstream
Clot enters major artery going to heart leads to heart attack; to brain = stroke

10. Bypass Surgery
Surgeons take a segment of a healthy blood vessel from another part of the body and make a detour around the blocked part of the coronary artery.

11. LDL (aka "Bad" Cholesterol)
Transports ~ 75% of cholesterol to cells
If LDL is oxidized, (combines with free-radicals), LDL is modified
penetrates and damages the walls of arteries- causes inflammatory response
Body's response can promote further damage:
WBC's and other inflamm. factors gather and form a plaque
Damage to endothelium
Increase risk for blood clots
Reduces levels of nitric oxide (needed for relaxation of vessels)

12. HDL (aka "Good" Cholesterol)
Removes cholesterol from walls of arteries and returns it to the liver
Prevents oxidation of LDL (has antioxidant properties)
Reduces narrowing of vessels, and risk of heart attack
High levels of HDL are beneficial to health
Fish oils, omega-3, 6 fatty acids

13. Role of Omega-3 & Omega-6 Fats?
High in whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, fish, olive oil, garlic (0mega-3) and meat (omega-6)
reduce inflammation and help prevent risk factors associated with chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and arthritis
important for cognitive (brain memory and performance) and behavioral function
Balance of omega-3 and omega-6 needed

14. Omega 6
Omega 3

15. Triglycerides (good? Bad?)
Are now becoming known as a major problem for the heart
Interaction between HDL and TG- shows a decrease in HDL as TG levels rise (relationship is under study)
Imbalance of HDL/TG associated with obesity, insulin resistance, and diabetes
Also may lead to blood clots and inflammatory responses