The functions of fats
Fats serve as a vital role in the body as well as diet. In the body, fats have the function to preserve energy, provide electrolyte, control and send signals to your body. Fats also contribute various unique parts in your diet, such as boosting the body’s absorption of fat-soluble vitamins and also enhance the flavor and satisfaction of food.
Energy Preservation
The majority of energy in the human body comes from carbohydrates and lipids which are stored in the body as glycogen. The fat cells are strongly chained together to store a vast amount of energy in a narrow space and for a long period.
Do you know that a gram of fats has double the amount of energy in comparison to a gram of carb.
We draw energy stored from fat cells to meet the minimal need of energy when resting as well as providing energy for your muscle to stay functional all day long. Different from other cells which store fats in a limited capacity, fat cells are specialized in storing fat with the capability almost unlimited.
The excess fat cells is unfavourable for your health, not only putting stress on your biological body, but also altering metabolism and imbalancing hormones. Obesity usually increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, kidney problem and also leads to severe diseases such as cancers.
Affecting reproductive system, consciousness and mood swing. A healthy body is when the body can balance and consume enough nutrients including fats, yet it is obvious that with tremendous amounts of fats consumption will greatly damage our healthy body.
Insulation and Protection
The average amount of fat in males body ranges from 18% to 24%, and 25% to 31% in females. Fat cells differ from person to person dependent on the weight and the levels of obesity. Fat stored in the abdominal cavity is often referred to as visceral fat, and some is stored underneath the skin. Visceral fat protects vital organs such as the heart, kidneys and liver. The subcutaneous fat layer often insulates the body from extreme heat. Subcutaneous fat also helps cushion our hands and buttocks to prevent friction as these two parts are constantly in contact with hard surfaces.
Adjust and transmit signals
Fats help the body produce and regulate hormones. For example, adipose tissue secretes the hormone leptin, which signals the body’s energy state and helps regulate appetite. Fat is also essential for reproductive health – A woman who does not have the right amount of fat will have her period interrupted and cannot conceive until the body has stored enough fat.
Omega-3 and Omega-6 are two polyunsaturated fats. In addition, they are also common fatty acids that the body needs to absorb from food. This is a good fat because it has a tendency to reduce cholesterol in the blood, reduce the risk of atherosclerosis, produce good cholesterol that is transmitted throughout the body, prevent cardiovascular diseases.
Fat also plays a role. Important function in maintaining nerve impulse conduction, memory and tissue structure storage – special focus on structural function and brain function, helping in nerve membrane formation, electrical insulation nerve cells and facilitate the signaling of electrical impulses in the brain.
The function of fat in nutrition
Fat in food helps to support the transport of fat-soluble vitamins through digestion and improves the absorption of vitamins in the gut. These are called bioavailability. Dietary fats also increase the bioavailability of compounds called phytochemicals – non-essential plant compounds that are beneficial to human health.
Fats satisfy hunger because they are digested and absorbed more slowly than other macronutrients. Therefore, fat in the diet contributes to a feeling of fullness. When eating fatty foods, the body responds by allowing the digestive control processes to slow the movement of food along the digestive tract, giving the fat more time to digest and absorb. , while promoting an overall feeling of fullness. Fat slows digestion to assess the flavor and texture of the food longer which can give your body more time to send the signals of fullness to the brain, so you can eat enough without feeling it. annoyed by being too full.