Fats

·       Fats are actually part of a larger grouping called Lipids

·       Three categories:

- triglycerides:

- phospholipids:

- sterols:

Main Function [triglycerides]

BODY

·        Is to fuel the body

·       Keep the body warm: fat is stored in adipose tissue as a thin layer under your skin to provide insulation.

·       Cushion to protect internal organs

·        Carries vitamins

·       Gives shape to the body and maintains healthy skin and hair

FOOD

o   Tenderizes bake products (flaky, delicate, lighter texture)

o   Add air or gas to batters and dough (makes batter flow and baked goods rise)

o   Emulsifier

o   Flavour (strong-bacon, mild-olive oil, lack-corn oil)

Saturated vs. Unsaturated Fats

This just describes how the atoms are bonded in fatty acids.

Unsaturated: most of the fatty acids are missing atoms---to make up for a missing bond a double bond forms.

-          Monounsaturated:creates 1 double bond (corn, sunflower, soy)

-          Polyunsaturated: has 2 or more double bonds (olive, canola)

ü Most are plant sources

ü Liquid at room temperature

Saturated: fatty acids contain all the hydrogen atoms their molecular structure can hold--- each bond will be single= 4 single bonds.

ü Usually come from animals

ü Solid at room temperature

[FACT: two exceptions: ‘tropical oils’ ---plam kernel and coconut oil are over 80% saturated]

ü Raises blood cholesterol

CHOLESTEROL

Blood Cholesterol

-          Naturally occurs in the body and vital in producing vit D and some hormones, strengthens cell membranes

-          Made by the liver

Dietary Cholesterol

-          Found in animal products

-          Though to contribute to PLAQUE: mounds of lipids mixed with calcium to lodge on artery walls  reducing blood flow

-          This can lead to Atherosclerosis ‘hardening of the arteries’: a build up of plaque along the inner walls of the arteries=heart attack & stroke.

Lipoprotein: is the vehicle that transports cholesterol throughout the bloodstream

HDL: High Density Lipoprotein (GOOD)

-          Higher in protein than lipids=more dense

-          Used to return cholesterol to the liver for breakdown and disposal

LDL: Low Density Lipoprotein (BAD)

-          More lipids=less dense

-          Used to transport cholesterol from the liver to other tissue in the body