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What are fats and fatty acids?
Fats are a group of chemical compounds that contain fatty
acids. Energy is stored in the body mostly in the form of
fat. Fat is also needed in the diet to supply essential fatty
acids that are substances essential for growth but not produced
by the body itself. The terms fat and fatty acids are frequently
used interchangeably.
What is the role of fat in the diet?
Fat is a major source of energy for the body and aids in
the absorption of vitamins A, D, E, and K, and carotenoids.
Both animal and plant-derived food products contain fat, and
when eaten in moderation, fat is important for proper growth,
development, and maintenance of good health. As a food ingredient,
fat provides taste, consistency, and stability and helps us
feel full. In addition, parents should be aware that fats
are an especially important source of calories and nutrients
for infants and toddlers (up to 2 years of age), who have
the highest energy needs per unit of body weight of any age
group.
Are all fats the same?
Simply put: no. While unsaturated fats (monounsaturated and
polyunsaturated) are beneficial when consumed in moderation,
saturated fat and trans fat are not. Saturated fat and trans
fat raise LDL ("bad") cholesterol. Therefore, it
is advisable to choose foods low in both saturated and trans
fats as part of a healthful diet.
What about cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a waxy substance that occurs naturally in the tissues of all animals. The human body needs cholesterol to function properly, such as producing vitamin D, bile acids to digest fat, and many hormones. Given the capability of all tissues to synthesize sufficient amounts of cholesterol for their needs, there is no evidence for a biologic requirement for dietary cholesterol. Scientific evidence indicates a positive linear trend between cholesterol intake and LDL-cholesterol levels, and therefore, an increased risk of CHD.
To read the rest
of this excellent article on trans fat nutrition labeling,
produced by the FDA, please click here: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/qatrans2.html
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