Macro #5 & #6: Lipids and Health Implications Flashcards
3 Reasons we need lipids
- Energy
- Essential fatty acids for fatty acid synthesis
- Absorption of essential fat-soluble vitamins
General recommendations for lipids
- No RDA
- Diets should not have more than 35% fat
- Avoid trans fatty acids
Distinguishing feature of fats/lipids
Don’t dissolve well in water
3 classifications of dietary fats/lipids
- Triglycerides
- Sterols
- Phospholipids
Triglycerides
Primary dietary lipid and source of energy
How are triglycerides composed?
1 glycerol + 3 fatty acids
Esterification
Bonding of fatty acid to glycerol
Where does esterification occur?
Primarily in the liver, enterocytes, and adipocytes
Fatty Acid Lengths
Short: <6 carbons
Medium: 6-12 carbons
Long: >14
Chain length determines the method of digestion and absorption
Two types of fatty acids
- Saturated
- Unsaturated
Saturated Fatty Acids
Carbons are saturated with Hydrogen, no double bonds and solid at room temp
Unsaturated Fatty Acids
One or more double bond between C and H. Liquid at room temperature
Monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA)
Type of unsaturated fatty acid where there is only one double bond between carbons
Polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)
two or more double bonds between carbons
Alpha-Linolenic acid
Omega-3 fatty acid: the double bond is on the third carbon
Anti-inflammatory effect
Linoleic Acid
Omega-6 fatty acid: the first double bond is on the sixth carbon
Excess consumption = pro-inflammatory effect
Trans fatty acids
Artificial trans fats are created in a process that adds hydrogen to liquid vegetable oils to make them more solid
Where are trans fatty acids seen the most?
Used primarily in
1. processed foods
2. to increase shelf-life
3. improve taste and texture
4. Used for frying foods
What are trans fatty acids listed as on food labels
(Partially) hydrogenated oil
Why are trans fatty acids bad?
They raise LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) and lower HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol)
What is the loophole for food companies when putting trans fatty acids on the label
If there is <0.5g, the company can put “zero trans fat” on the label but still have to put it on the label
Did the FDA ban trans fat usage in foods?
Yes. They banned it in 2015 but postponed the implementation from 2018 to 2020/2021
Sterols
Lipids that hold together the phospholipid bilayer.
Includes nuts, peanuts, legumes, soybeans, flour etc
Cholesterol
Nonessential nutrient that is part of a Sterol group