Fatty Acids Flashcards
Describe a short chain FA.
4-6 C long (butyric acid)
Describe medium chain FA.
8-12 C long (lauric acid)
Describe long chain FA.
14-24 C long (palmitic acid, essential FA)
What happens to short and medium FA when transported to the blood?
they are free FA bound to albumin
How do short and medium FA get transported into the mitochondria?
does not require L-carnitine
How do long FA get transported into the mitochondria?
requires L-carnitine
What happens to long FA when transported to the blood?
free FA bound to albumin
What is the difference between saturated, monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fat?
saturated has no double bonds and is a fat when at room temp.
monounsaturated fats have 1 double bond and is an oil at room temp
polyunsaturated fats have more than 1 double bond and is an oil when at room temperature
Where are saturated FA found?
dairy, animal products, coconut oil, palm oil, etc
Where are monounsaturated fats found?
olive oil and other veggie oils
Where are polyunsaturated fats found?
veggie oils and fish oils
What is a structure that PUFAs have that MUFAs and SFAs don’t?
have a methylene interrupted, allows for a more flexible structure (conjugated bonds)
What is the difference between cis and trans PUFAs?
Cis = can still rotate
Trans = stuck in a linear position
When linoleic acid (omega 6s) gets turned into ARA, what increases or decreases that turnover?
increased with saturated fat
decreased with LCFA
decreased by 87% in obese patients
What are the symptoms of omega-6 deficiency?
breakdown of epidermal barrier for water loss (scaly skin, extreme thirst), poor wound healing, impaired reproduction, eventual death
Describe the path for Omega-3s.
alpha-linoleic acid–> EPA–> DHA
How much of ALA is converted to EPA?
5-9%
What decreases the change of ALA?
decreased with saturated fat and LCFA
decreased in 66% of obese patients
What are the symptoms of omega-3 deficiency?
decreased viscual acuity and peripheral neuropathy (extremely rare)
When ARA is broken down by the COX enzyme, what does it become?
2 series prostaglandins and thromboxanes
What are prostaglandins and thromboxanes?
inflammatory, clotters
When ARA is broekn down by LOX enzyme, what does it become?
4 series leukotriens
What are leukotriens?
inflammatory
When EPA is broken down by the COX enzyme, what does it become?
3 series prostaglandins and thromboxanes
Do 3 series prostaglandins and thromboxanes have any effect?
little to none
When EPA is broken down by the LOX enzyme, what does it become?
5 series leukotriene
Do 5 series leukotrienes have an effect?
little to none
What type of fat increases your risk of heart disease?
trans fats
What type of fat decreases your risk of heart disease?
PUFAs
What can you recommend for people at risk for CHD?
- swap trans fats for MUFAs and PUFAs
- swap saturated fat for PUFAs
- DON’T swap UFA for carbs
When are lipids used?
as energy during rest, energy during low-intensity exercise, energy stores, cell integrity
gives foods a creamy, moist texture, satiety and absorption of vitamins ADEK
