Implications of fats on human health

• Where are saturated fats mainly found?

  Animal products and some plant oils
• What effect do saturated fats have on LDL cholesterol levels?

  They raise LDL cholesterol levels
• What health risks are associated with high LDL cholesterol levels?

  Atherosclerosis and increased risk of CHD
• Where are unsaturated fats primarily found?

  Plant-based oils, nuts, seeds, and fatty fish
• How do unsaturated fats affect LDL cholesterol levels?

  They can lower LDL cholesterol levels
• What are the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids?

  They have anti-inflammatory effects and support heart health
• What is cholesterol essential for?

  Maintaining cell membrane integrity and hormone production
• What role do lipoproteins play in cholesterol transport?

  They transport cholesterol in the blood
• What does LDL stand for?

  Low-Density Lipoprotein
• Why is LDL considered "bad cholesterol"?

  It carries cholesterol to the arteries
• What does HDL stand for?

  High-Density Lipoprotein
• What is the function of HDL cholesterol?

  It helps remove excess cholesterol from the bloodstream
• What health risks are associated with high intake of saturated fats?

  Increased risk of atherosclerosis and heart disease
• How do unsaturated fats improve heart health?

  They lower LDL cholesterol and reduce inflammation
• How many calories do fats provide per gram?

  9 kcal per gram
• What health problems are associated with obesity?

  Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease
• What are the other roles of fats in the body?

  • Involved in hormone production
  • Essential for absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K)
  • Provide energy storage
  • Help protect organs
  • Act as insulation
• Artherosclerosis?


  Build up of artheroma (fatty deposits)
• What causes blood clots?


  Build of up of artheroma
• Formation of blood clots by artheroma?


  Thrombosis - blocked blodo vessels (i.e. by a clot) can kead to a heart attack
• Liporoteins?


  When food has been absorbed in the small intestine, lipids and proteins combine to form liporoteins, which travel around the body in the blood stream
• Diet high in saturated fats?


  Increased levels of Low density liporoteins (LDL), build up in the coroanry artieres.

  Fatty acids called atheroma get deposited in the coronary arteries, restricting blood flow to the arteries and therefore the heart.
• Diet high in unsaturated fats?


  Increased levels of high density liproteins (HDL) which carry harmful fats away, to the lvier, for disposal, lowering the risk of cardiovascular diseases