Dietary fat

Dietary fat

Dietary fat (/ˈdaɪ.ə.tɛr.i fæt/), also known as dietary lipid, is a macronutrient that is essential for the human body. It is one of the three main macronutrients, along with protein and carbohydrate.

Etymology

The term "dietary fat" is derived from the Latin word dieta, meaning "way of life", and the Old English word fætt, meaning "fat, fleshy, plump, obese".

Types of dietary fat

There are four main types of dietary fat:

1. Saturated fat - These are fats that are solid at room temperature. They are found in animal products such as meat and dairy, as well as in some plant-based foods like coconut and palm oil.
2. Unsaturated fat - These are fats that are liquid at room temperature. They are found in plant-based foods like avocados, nuts, seeds, and oils. Unsaturated fats can be further divided into monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats.
3. Trans fat - These are fats that are produced industrially by adding hydrogen to liquid vegetable oils to make them more solid. They are found in many processed foods.
4. Cholesterol - This is a waxy substance that is found in all cells of the body. It is necessary for making hormones, vitamin D, and substances that help digest foods.

Health effects

Dietary fat is essential for the body as it provides energy, supports cell growth, protects organs, and helps the body absorb nutrients. However, consuming too much fat, especially saturated and trans fats, can lead to health problems such as heart disease and obesity.

Related terms

• Macronutrient
• Protein
• Carbohydrate
• Saturated fat
• Unsaturated fat
• Trans fat
• Cholesterol
• Heart disease
• Obesity

This WikiMD.org article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.