What are fats? How they work in Human Body…

Fats are converted for storage in the body from glucose. We also derive fats from foods. Fats are a mixture of fatty acids. Fats are twice the caloric value of carbohydrates. Fats are our energy reserve; they protect the body and cushion vital organs. When we eat fats and oils, the body separates the fatty acids from their carrier; likewise when triglycerides in fat tissue are taken out of storage for conversion to energy. Every cell in our body needs fatty acids to produce and build new cells. They are critical in the transmission of nerve impulses and for normal brain development.

Cholesterol is a hard waxy substance critical to many body functions. Made by the liver, it is involved in the synthesis of hormones including estrogen, testosterone and cortisone which helps to regulate metabolism. Vitamin D and bile are made from cholesterol and cholesterol is an important component in secretions of the oil glands.

Too much cholesterol in the body has very diverse effects. It is the main component of the plaque that builds up on the walls of arteries. This buildup leads to heart attacks, strokes and other problems from poor blood circulation. Except for those individuals whose genes prevent cholesterol from building up no matter what they eat diet is the major influence on cholesterol’s production. The body uses carbon or acetate fragments to make cholesterol.

Another important aspect of cholesterol is how it is transported throughout the body. When fat droplets are absorbed through the walls of the small intestine, they are picked up by protein coated carriers called lipoproteins. These particular lipoproteins are called high density lipoproteins or HDL. They carry the fat globules composed of both cholesterol and triglycerides to the liver. The liver then metabolizes the fat. Some of the cholesterol is deposited in the bile. The fats that are sent out to various parts of the body are carried by low density lipoproteins or LDL.

All cells in the body have receptors for LDL but when each cell has absorbed enough fat and cholesterol for its needs, the receptor closes. And the remaining cholesterol circulates with the blood or sticks to our arteries which ultimately cause heart and liver diseases.