Fats

• Energy


  Fat broken down by process of oxidation & energy released
• Energy


  • Fuel enables daily automatic tasks E.g breathing
  • Energy dense fuel
  • Protein sparing, save protein from being used for energy & allow them to preform more important role of building & repairing tissues
• 1g fat= 37KJ
• 1g protein= 17KJ
• 1g carbs= 17KJ
• All 4Kcal
• Formation of adipose tissue


  • Excess fat which is not immediately required fro energy is stores in adipose tissue
  • Energy reserve in emergencies
  • Insulating layer & helps prevent excessive heat loss from body, assists in maintenance of constant body temp
  • Stored around delicate organs, kidneys, & protects organs from physical damage
  • Body stores fat sol vitamins in adipose tissue
• Essential fatty acids


  Polyunsaturated, essential in small amounts for functioning of body, must be supplied by fats & oils in diet since they cannot be synthesised in body
• Essential fatty acids


  • Needed for maintenance of membranes, fats make phospholipids
  • Omega 3 & 6 obtained from oily fish, reduce blood cholesterol, reduce risk of blood clots forming in arteries & veins
  • Recommended at least 2 portions of fish a week, 1of which should be oily e.g salmon, mackerel, anchovies, herring
  • Make hormone like substances called eicosanoids which are involved in number of functions in body e.g blood clotting
  • Linoleic & linolenic acid are EFAs found mainly in plant oils, needed for brain development of baby's, humans make special EFAs linoleic & linolenic acids in breast milk, 1 reason why human breast milk is best for baby's
  • EFAs help regulation of cholesterol metabolism, stimulation of smooth muscle contraction, effects immune system & nervous system
• Sources of EFA's


  • most vegetables
  • oily fish oils
• Sources of linoleic


  • vegetables
  • fruit
  • nuts
  • cereal products
  • fat spreads
• Sources of linolenic


  • vegetables
  • meat & meat products
  • cereal products
  • fat spreads
• Fat supplements of EFA's are not extra benefit
• Fat soluble vitamins


  Certain fats included in diet help ensure adequate intake of fat soluble vitamins A,D&E
• Fats


  • Influence inflammation, reproduction & blood pressure in body cells & tissues
  • Provide feeling of fullness as they take longer to digest
  • Provide flavour, texture & bulk
• Omega 3&6


  • Boost immune response, protect autoimmune
  • Positive effect of function of brain
  • Prevent nerve damage, stops inflammation of nerves
  • Protect cells from free radicals
• Low intake of omega 3&6

  Higher risk of dementia, Alzheimer's
• Omega 3 good for ADHD & autism
• Cholesterol


  • A type of fat produced in liver & other organs & is also absorbed into our bodies from certain foods that we eat
  • Essential for good health & found in every cell in body
  • Used to make cell membranes, insulate nerves & produce certain hormones (testosterone)
  • High cholesterol level in blood is associated with an increased risk of various problems such as CVD & stroke
  • Keeping cholesterol levels within healthy limits is generally regarded as an important factor in maintaining a healthy heart
  • Soft fat like waxy substance
  • Involved in vitamin D