THE BASICS OF FATS

FNL Unit 9

FCS-FNL-7 Student will explain the nutritional requirements of the middle

adult years.

WHY DO WE NEED FATS?Fats are an important energy source

Fats belong to a larger group of compounds called LIPIDS.

Fats are a subgroup of lipids called Triglycerides

FATS CONTINUEDFats are primarily divided into

three different categories – saturated, unsaturated, and trans fat.

All lipids contain fatty acids

FATTY ACIDS Chemical Chains

that contain carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms.

TYPES OF FATTY ACIDS

Saturated Fatty Acids – is fat that is naturally SOLID at room temperature.

Unsaturated Fatty Acids – naturally LIQUID at room temperature.

Trans Fats – Fats which are normally liquid at room temperature, but have been chemically modified to be solid at room temperature through the process of hydrogenation.

ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS Necessary fats that humans cannot

synthesize and must be obtained through diet.

EFA’s support the cardiovascular, reproductive, immune and nervous system.

Two Families of EFA:Omega-3Omega-6

CHOLESTEROLA waxy steroid of fat that is

produced in the liver or intestines.

Used to produce hormones and cell membranes and is transported in the blood plasma of all mammals.