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10.1: Introduction

  • Page ID
    157797
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    Learn
    • Lipids
    • Dietary fat and its function in your body
    • Foods that contain saturated and unsaturated fats
    • Health risks associated with too much dietary fat

    Introduction

    This chapter will learn about the three main types of lipids and their functions in our bodies. In the body, fat functions as an important depot for energy storage offers insulation and protection and plays important roles in regulating and signaling. Large amounts of dietary fat are not required to meet these functions because they can synthesize most fat molecules from other organic molecules like carbohydrates and protein (except for two essential fatty acids). However, fat also plays unique roles in the diet, including increasing the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins and contributing to food flavor and satisfaction. Let’s take a closer look at each of these fats’ functions in the body and the diet. Let’s begin by watching the video below for a brief introduction to lipids.

    Watch the video about lipids

    10.1: Introduction is shared under a not declared license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts.

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