Lipids Flashcards
What is the % of fat in a lean healthy man vs severe obese
approx 16% compared to 70% mostly in adipocytes
What did the research of Ancel Keys find
High sat fat diet would increase serum cholesterol and lead to heart disease. The American Heart Assoc. then recommended a low fat high carb diet, substituting animal fats for seed oils. This led to into of statins.
Describe WHITE adipose fat and list functions
complex metabolically active endocrine tissue
- secretion of hormones
- growth factors
- enzymes
- protection of organs
- energy storage
- temperature insulation
Lipids exist in various forms, each with different structure and function. Name 4
- individual fatty acids
- triglycerides
- phospholipids (every cell membrane)
- cholesterol (steroid based compounds eg oestrogen)
- Sphingolipids (in nerve cell membranes eg myelin)
- Glycolipids (cell identity)
- cerebrosides (in brain)
- fat soluble vits (ADEK)
List as many function of lipids as you can (up to 10)
- Energy production (1g fat = 9 calories)
- storage of energy reserves (fats more efficient form of storage than carbs or proteins so excess stored as fat)
- cell membrane structure
- Thermal insulation (subcutaneous tissue around organs)
- steroid hormones (e.g. progesterone/oestrogen)
- formation of eicosanoids (signalling molecules involved in processes such as inflammation)
- Growth and development (brain rich in AA/DHA)
- Constitutes nervous tissue structure
- cell to cell signalling
- needed for absorption of ADEK
Describe the chemical structure of fatty acids
hydrocarbon chains with acid group at one end and methyl at other.
How many carbons does a short chain and medium chain fatty acids have, where do they travel to and what are they used for.
Which is useful to take before exercise
Short chain: 5 C
Medium chain: 6-12 Cs
Travel to liver used to create energy or ketones.
MCTs good source of energy before exercise (1tbs)
How many carbons does a long chain and very long chain fatty acid have and what are they used for
14-22 C and more than 22 Cs
Build cell membranes
How are SCFAs produced by the body
by dietary fibre fermenting in the COLON
Name the most common SCFAs
Acetate
Propionate
Butyrate
Which fatty acid is important for colon health and why
BUTYRATE
- supports intestinal tight junctions
- anti-inflammatory effect on the colon
How are fatty acids named
Using their common names and the omega nomenclature system
- Omega system: number of carbon atoms, number of double bonds, number of carbons from the omega end to the first carbon in the double bond.
How do unsaturated fats become saturated
with the addition of a hydrogen - hydrogenation, which turns the natural fatty acid into unnatural forms (trans)
Describe the composition of a saturated fatty acid (e.g. how many c-c double bonds)
no C-C double bonds. All carbons are completely saturated with hydrogen bonds.
Solid at room temperature
Describe the composition of unsaturated fatty acids
one or more double bonds between carbons. Liquid at room temp
Describe the composition of monounsaturated fatty acids
one double bond in the chain
Describe the composition of PUFAs
several double bonds in the
What is the result of an increasing number of double bonds in a fatty acid
the more double bonds the less stable and increasing susceptibility to oxidation
What do trans fats do to blood triglyceride and cholesterol profiles and what disease states are they linked to
alter blood triglyceride and cholesterol profiles - linked to CVD, insulin resistance and cancer.
Explain the configuration of a CIS fatty acid
H atoms are on the same side of the double bond
explain the configuration of a TRANS fat
H atoms are on separate sides of the double bond
are trans fats saturated or unsaturated
unsaturated but behave like saturated fats because of their unkinked shape
Name a natural trans fat
CLA - conjugated linoleic acid found in grass fed meat and dairy. Could increase lean muscle mass and decrease body fat.
Triglycerides: major form of dietary fat and storage form. Describe their structure
1 glycerol and three fatty acids.
The fatty acids can differ in length (number of C atoms) and degree of saturation (no. of hydrogen molecules attached)
What disease state is a high level of triglycerides linked to
atherosclerosis - heart disease and stroke
When does the body synthesise triglycerides
what is the process called
where are they taken up
- when caloric intake exceeds energy requirements
- Excess energy is converted to triglycerides via lipogenesis in the liver and adipose tissue
- taken-up by adipose tissue
Where do adipocytes acquire triglycerides from
circulating lipoproteins, chylomicrons and VLDL
What is lipogenesis
The process of converting acetyl-CoA to triglycerides for storage in fat
when are fatty acids synthesised
when there is an excess of carbohydrates
what is acetyl-CoA formed from and how does it form palmitic acid
from glucose during glycolysis, as well as from fats and amino acids
- 2 carbon units are added to form palmitic acid (C16)
- 3 fatty acids are bound to glycerol and stored as triglycerides
where in the body does fatty acid synthesis take place
in the liver, adipocytes, kidneys, lactating mammary glands
LIPOLYSIS - when does it take place and what happens
When dietary energy in limited triglycerides are hydrolysed by LIPASE into fatty acids and glycerol for use in the body
What hormones stimulate lipolysis and what hormone antagonises the lipolytic effect of these hormones
- adrenaline and noradrenaline (stress)
- adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
- Glucagon and growth hormones
- TSH and thyroxine
Antagonised by insulin which leads to disregulated breakdown of triglycerides which congregate in central adipose tissue/visceral fat which is metabolically active, secreting inflammatory cytokines and creating cycle of insulin resistance
Describe the process of fatty acid catabolism to produce ENERGY
- CARNITINE facilitates the transport of fatty acids across the mitochondrial membrane.
- fatty acids undergo BETA OXIDATION and are broken down into 2-carbon blocks as ACETYL -CoA
- Acetyl Co-A is oxidised via the krebs cycle to CO2 and H2O.
- energy created in electron transport chain
KETOSIS when does it take place
when carbohydrate levels are low (below 40g/day), fat becomes the primary fuel for energy production rather than glucose. Ketones are synthesised as they can cross the BBB. Happens during periods of fasting
what is ketogenesis
acetyl-CoA is converted to
acetoacetate
b-hydroxybutyrate
acetone - which gives the sweet smell to breath
what are the health benefits of ketosis
weight loss, epilepsy management, parkinson, alzheimers
what is ketoacidosis
dangerous condition where there’s insufficient pancreatic insulin to regulate B-hydroxybutyrate (remember, insulin is antagonist to lipolysis; therefore uncontrolled breakdown of lipids leading to acidity)
How can we optimise the digestion of lipids
- chew and don’t drink with meals
- increase bile production and stomach acid levels, bitter foods. reduce stress
- Choleretics (increase bile production); cholagogues (Increase bile flow) eg dandelion, turmeric)
- increase glycine and taurine (components of bile) in legumes, spinach and eggs
-Olive oil can stimulate bile secretion
Lipid digestion - Explain the process of triglyceride digestion and the key enzymes needed
Glycerol separated from fatty acids by:
- gastric lipase (stomach)
- pancreatic lipase (duodenum)
Bile emulsifies fat, increasing surface area of droplets.
the free fatty acids and glyceride are transported to enterocytes where rebuilt and packaged into CHYLOMICRONS and transported via lymphatic system to the bloodstream.
Fatty acids are used or stored in adipose tissue
Lipid recommendations: What % of total energy should
TOTAL fat be
SATURATED fat
PUFA
Omega 3
Total : 20-35% (44-78g based on 2k cal)
Saturated : no more than 10% (22g)
PUFA: 6-11% (13-24g)
Omega: .5-2% (1.1-1.4g)
What does the UK Government Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition advise regarding fat intake
Sat fat not to exceed 10% dietary intake of energy
Low fat dairy (oft high in sugar)
unsaturated oils and spreads (refined and trans fats)
NO emphasiss on healthy fats (fish, avocado, nuts, seeds, EVOO, egg yolk, grass fed meat)
Without adequate energy from fat, people aren’t satiated. What did the PURE 2017 study find regarding mortality and fat consumption
people consuming more than 35% of daily energy in fat less likely to die than those consuming 10%
List benefits of including healthy fats in diet (eg mix of mono, poly and sat fats including fat soluble vits such as E)
greater satiety
sources of EFAs
Choline (to synthesise phospatidylcholine)
source of ADEK and phytonurients
greater flavour enhancement of cooked food