![]() ![]() (We'll get into the implications of saturated versus unsaturated fats in the following sections.) Saturated fats have hydrogen atoms bonded to every carbon atom, but unsaturated fats don't. ![]() Most natural fatty acids contain between four and 28 carbons in their chain, and the majority of dietary fatty acids contain 12 to 18 carbons.Īlong with variations in their carbon chain length, fatty acids can also be saturated, monounsaturated, or polyunsaturated - all terms you might have heard before. At the end of the fatty acid chain is a carboxyl (-COOH) group instead of glycerol. There are also hydrogen atoms attached to most, or all, of the carbon atoms. When you exercise and burn fat for fuel, your body is mostly relying on free fatty acids.įree fatty acids usually have a straight, "chain-like" configuration with an even number of carbon atoms side-by-side. FFAs are usually released from triglycerides by an enzyme called lipase, produced in your pancreas.įree fatty acids are important for your metabolism because they're the primary type of fat your cells can use for energy. In contrast to triglycerides, free fatty acids (or FFAs) are the "free" or unattached form of fat molecules - in other words, they're not attached to a glycerol backbone. Most stored fats in your body, and most fats in foods, are in the triglyceride form. Triglycerides contain a glycerol "backbone," which is a molecule containing three carbons attached to three fatty acid chains. When you eat dietary fats (such as butter, olive oil, or coconut oil), you're consuming a mixture of several different types of fatty acids, each with different properties.įatty acids exist in two main forms: triglycerides and free fatty acids. What Are Fatty Acids?įatty acids are the individual molecules found in natural dietary fats. In this article, we’ll cover details about each type of fatty acid, with important information you can use to make informed decisions about fats you eat. ![]() Most dietary fats contain a combination of two or more of the following: While dietary fat was once vilified, many doctors, nutritionists, and other practitioners are embracing fat as good.īut not all fat is good for you, and knowing the difference between fatty acids (and where you can find these different types of fat) can mean the difference between supporting or hurting your health.įatty acids are the building blocks of dietary fats. The last decade or so has seen a shift in the health space. Monounsaturated fats are uncontroversially good for your cardiovascular and metabolic health.Īrtificial trans fats are bad for your health (and are now banned), but naturally-occurring trans fats may be good for you. Too many polyunsaturated omega-6 fats in the diet appear to be a driving factor in chronic illness. ![]() The chain length and the number of double bonds gives different fatty acids a range of different health properties. All natural dietary fats contain a mixture of different fatty acids.įatty acids all consist of carbon and hydrogen atoms, but their lengths and atomic bonds vary. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |