What is fat?
Fat is one of the necessary macronutrients (along with protein and carbohydrates) which is required in sufficiently large quantities each day.
Fats, which are chemically known as lipids, are defined as being one of the following:
- Triglycerides – can be saturated (from animal sources) or unsaturated (from plant sources)
- Phospholipids – similar chemical structure to triglycerides, are the main component of cell membranes
- Sterols – cholesterols from animal sources and phytosterols from plant sources
Important fat facts
- About 30% of the diet should come from fat
- Some saturated fat is necessary in the diet, but should not be the main constituent of all fat intake
- Some cholesterol is necessary in the diet, for a variety of purposes
Why fat is important
There are a great many reasons why fat is necessary and important in the diet:
- Phospholipids form the membrane around cells
- Cholesterol is required to make vitamin D and bile
- Essential fatty acids are required for energy and help to insulate the organs and protect deep tissues against heat loss and physical damage