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The three main types of lipids are triglycerides, phospholipids, sterols.
The three main types of lipids are triglycerides, phospholipids, sterols.
Fun fact: Your brain is nearly 60 percent fat!
Triglycerides make up over 95 percent of dietary lipids, and phospholipids make up about 2 percent [18]. The membranes of all the body's cells are made from phospholipids.
The phospholipids arrange themselves with their hydrophobic parts facing each other, away from the interstitial fluid (liquid between cells), contributing to the selective permeability of the cell. Only certain molecules can cross the membrane with ease.
Larger molecules can enter and exit through channels made of proteins. Some of these large molecules require additional energy, in the form of ATP, to traverse the cell membrane, while others can passively flow through the channels.
This is why phospholipids are so important!
From https://www.nfpt.com/blog/uncovering-the-biology-behind-fat-cells
Fat cells are specialized for fat storage (other cells can only store it in limited supplies) and can expand almost indefinitely.
Fat cells are specialized for fat storage (other cells can only store it in limited supplies) and can expand almost indefinitely.
Energy Storage
Energy Storage
While glycogen provides a ready source of energy, lipids primarily function as an energy reserve. Triglycerides are tightly packed together without water, and can therefore store far more amounts of energy than glycogen in a reduced space [20].
Regulating and Signaling
Regulating and Signaling
Triglycerides control the body’s internal climate, maintaining a constant temperature. They also help the body produce and regulate hormones:
Adipose tissue secretes leptin, which regulates appetite
Fatty acids are required for reproductive health. Steroid hormones, such as estrogen, cortisol, and testosterone, are made from such components.
Omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids help regulate cholesterol and blood clotting and control inflammation in the joints, tissues, and bloodstream
Lipids play an important role in sustaining nerve impulse transmission, memory storage, and tissue structure; they help form nerve cell membranes, insulate neurons, and facilitate the signaling of electrical impulses throughout the brain [19].
Aiding Digestion & INcreasing BIOAVAILABILITY
Aiding Digestion & INcreasing BIOAVAILABILITY
Lipids carry fat-soluble nutrients, improving bioavailability (the amount of a substance that enters systemic circulation and can be absorbed) and thus intestinal absorption [19]
Phytochemicals, which are chemicals in plants
Ex. Lycopene (found in tomatoes) and beta-carotene (found in carrots)
Phytochemicals may protect cells and DNA from damage, reduce inflammation, aid immune system function, and help regulate hormones [21].
Insulating and Protecting
Insulating and Protecting
Your body fat has many important protective roles. There is a common misconception that dietary fat will directly lead to an increase in the amount of body fat you have, but this is not necessarily the case! It has more to do with energy intake versus energy used (in the form of calories), as well as levels of metabolic and other regulatory hormones.
Visceral fat: adipose tissue surrounding delicate organs
Subcutaneous fat: fat underneath the skin; insulates the body from extreme temperatures, provides padding
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