Chapter 3 - Fats Flashcards
What is the fuel factor of fat?
9 kcal/gram; it is the highest fuel factor
Where is fat stored in the body?
in adipose tissue
Can you store more fat or carbohydrates in the body?
more fat
What is the structure of a triglyceride?
three fatty acids and a glycerol backbone
Triglycerides are the ______ dietary fat we consume from animal AND plant sources
most common
What is a saturated fatty acid chain?
the MOST amount of hydrogen possible is present; no double bonds between carbons
What is an unsaturated fatty acid chain?
not the most amount of hydrogen possible is present; some double bonds between carbons
Which foods are the highest in saturated fat?
animal food sources
What are two plants that are very high in saturated fat?
coconut and palm oil
What are the two essential fatty acids in human nutrition?
linoleic and alpha-linoleic acids
Why are the omega 3 fatty acids EPA and DHA also important to consume from fish/seafood or algae supplements?
they are made from alpha-linoleic acid; they are marine omega 3 fatty acids
What is the purpose of lipoproteins in the body?
lipoproteins help non-water-soluble molecules to travel throughout the body and cross membranes
What is the purpose of cholesterol in the body?
we use cholesterol to make vitamin D, some hormones and it is vital to cell membranes
Excess fat distributed to the _____ region of the body is associated with increased risk of diabetes and heart disease
abdominal
Why are plant sources of fats, along with fish and seafood, generally considered heart healthy?
they lower LDL and blood triglyceride levels
What is the DRI for fats?
fats should make up 20-35% of total calorie intake; 40% from saturated fat; limit cholesterol to 300 mg/day; limit or cut out trans fat
How are free fatty acids and monoglycerides able to be absorbed into intestinal epithelial cells?
bile will break them down in order to increase surface area so that enzymes can begin to break the fat down
How do triglycerides leave the intestinal epithelial cells?
they leave as chylomicrons
What are the steps of fat absorption and transport?
1) bile salts and triglycerides mix to form a micelle
2) fat digestive products can now absorb
3) reconstruct back to triglycerides
4) chylomicrons package triglycerides with proteins, lipids, and cholesterol
5) chylomicrons travel into lymphatic system then to bloodstream
What digestion of fat happens in the mouth?
mechanical (mastication) and chemical (lingual lipase in infants)
What digestion of fat happens in the stomach?
mechanical (peristalsis) and chemical (gastric lipase that acts on butterfat in infants)
What digestion of fat happens in the small intestine?
mechanical (peristalsis) and chemical (bile and lecithinase)
Where does the most digestion of fat occur in adults?
in the small intestine
