How Fats in the Body are Metabolized

Posted by jenaisle on March 8, 2010

Fats or lipids enter the body through the food that we eat. There are many sources of lipids like meat fat, vegetable fat and dairy products.  Fats in the body are metabolized through these simple steps.

Mouth

These foodstuffs are grinded into morsels by the mouth and the teeth.  Although salivary amylase is present, it does not have any action on lipids but only on carbohydrates.  The fats then go down into the stomach.

Stomach

Due to the high acidity of the stomach, metabolic breakdown of fats still do not occur.  Fats then move to the small intestines with the help of peristalsis.

Small intestines

Fats are then broken down into small micelles and acted upon by bile salts and bile acids coming from the bile pigment in from the gall bladder.  These bile salts act with co-lipase and lipase to complete the digestion of fats.

Absorption

Digestion of the fats into fatty acids occurs. Fatty acids are the simplest forms of fats. They are now absorbed by the intestinal villi and distributed where they are most needed.

Unused fats

When the person is sedentary most of his fats are not  metabolized because the primary source of energy of the body are carbohydrates, so the body has to use the carbohydrates first before it utilizes fats  as source of energy.  That is why when a person does not exercise; fats are not burned off as energy and are therefore stored as triglycerides in the adipose tissues and the liver.

These unused fats could also form plaques in the lining of the blood vessels leading to atherosclerosis, which eventually leads to cardiovascular disorders. This is how fats in the body are metabolized

Significant points to remember:

1. Meat fat is considered bad fat because they contain less protein. They are the low-density type of fats.
2. Use fish fat or vegetable fat, they are safer because they contain the high density in protein type of fats.
3. Exercise regularly to burn off excess carbohydrates and fats.
4. Most fast foods are rich in bad Trans fats, so be judicious in selecting your food.
5. Do not eat so many sweets like cakes and chocolates, because when unused, these converted into triglycerides, which is one type of bad fat.
6. Eat more fruits and vegetables to help reduce the effects of fats. Fruits and vegetables have anti-toxins and natural constituent that helps the body remove impurities.

Know how your fats in the body are metabolized and stay healthy.

Comments

8 Responses to “How Fats in the Body are Metabolized”

1. ajchtar says:

   March 9, 2010 at 8:45 pm

   ……….unfortunately for me, I think my fats are permanent!…lol! I’m happy to see your posts jena, they are so useful and informative……specially in class!:)
2. Jena Isle says:

   March 10, 2010 at 6:00 am

   Hello Aj,

   Hi there, you’re just 1 foot away from me, but anyway, I’ll still comment back. Those are not permanent fats, those are baby fats, you could eliminate them through exercise, which would be my next topic. Thanks for the patronage.
3. ajchtar says:

   March 16, 2010 at 12:18 am

   yes, 1 foot, such a short distance! i’m not a baby anymore—-fortunately……see you!
4. Jena Isle says:

   March 16, 2010 at 1:56 am

   HE HE HE, you’re not a baby anymore, how true. You’re growing older and becoming wiser.
5. ajchtar says:

   April 3, 2010 at 1:50 am

   aww! I’m honestly flattered, but i still have higher ground to climb, I’m thankful for all the support you’re giving me to get there….tc!
6. jenaisle says:

   April 7, 2010 at 3:43 pm

   Hello Aj,

   Keep going…you’re on the right track.TC