Triglycerides are broken down to fatty acids, monoglycerides glycerol backbone with one fatty acid still attached , and some free glycerol. Cholesterol and fat-soluble vitamins do not need to be enzymatically digested see Fig. Next, those products of fat digestion fatty acids, monoglycerides, glycerol, cholesterol, and fat-soluble vitamins need to enter into the circulation so that they can be used by cells around the body.
Again, bile helps with this process. Bile salts cluster around the products of fat digestion to form structures called micelles , which help the fats get close enough to the microvilli of intestinal cells so that they can be absorbed. The products of fat digestion diffuse across the membrane of the intestinal cells, and bile salts are recycled back to do more work emulsifying fat and forming micelles.
Lipid digestion and absorption in the small intestine. Once inside the intestinal cell, short- and medium-chain fatty acids and glycerol can be directly absorbed into the bloodstream, but larger lipids such as long-chain fatty acids, monoglycerides, fat-soluble vitamins, and cholesterol need help with absorption and transport to the bloodstream.
Long-chain fatty acids and monoglycerides reassemble into triglycerides within the intestinal cell, and along with cholesterol and fat-soluble vitamins, are then incorporated into transport vehicles called chylomicrons. Chylomicrons are large structures with a core of triglycerides and cholesterol and an outer membrane made up of phospholipids, interspersed with proteins called apolipoproteins and cholesterol.
This outer membrane makes them water-soluble so that they can travel in the aqueous environment of the body. Here are 6 simple ways to lose belly fat that are supported by science.
High triglycerides can have many causes, including genetics. When it's an inherited condition, it's known as familial hypertriglyceridemia. HDL cholesterol removes extra cholesterol and plaque buildup in your arteries.
High cholesterol often has no symptoms, but can lead to serious health issues. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Dietary fats consist of: saturated fat trans fat monounsaturated fatty acids polyunsaturated fatty acids, including omega-3 fatty acids Trans and saturated fats are considered unhealthy fats and raise LDL cholesterol.
How is fat digested? What happens after the fat is digested? Can you improve the fat digestion process? Fat recommendations. Read this next. What to Know About Familial Hypertriglyceridemia. Medically reviewed by Kevin Martinez, M. How Triglycerides Affect Your Health.
Lipoproteins enter the lymphatic system, and the body then releases them into the bloodstream. As fat digestion requires numerous enzymes, various conditions can affect this process and, as a result, absorption. Liver disorders, small bowel syndrome, and problems with the small intestine can make it more difficult for the body to digest and absorb fat. Due to this, some people with these conditions may notice fatty stools.
A study suggests that solid fats — those that are solid at room temperature, such as butter — are harder for the body to digest than fat droplets. The study used a model of the human digestive system to see how quickly enzymes could break down the two types of fat. The digestive model broke down solid fats about half as quickly. This finding suggests, but does not prove, that solid fats may present more digestive issues.
It is important to note, however, that the study did not look directly at humans and used only one type of fat emulsion. The type of fat is not the only factor determining how hard a food is to digest. Certain foods , such as fried foods, are more difficult for the body to digest and more likely to cause digestive problems. Digestive issues can also result from food sensitivities in some cases, so people with a history of digestive problems may wish to try keeping a food diary to track their diet and symptoms.
Effective fat digestion is critical for overall health, as the body needs fat to carry out many of its functions. Effective fat digestion may even play a role in maintaining a moderate body weight.
People may be able to improve their fat digestion by:. Although some natural and alternative medicine proponents argue that taking certain digestive enzymes or supplements may improve fat digestion, there is not enough scientific evidence to support this claim. They made plans, not for losing those last ten pounds to fit into a bathing suit for vacation, but rather for finding food. Today, this is why we can go long periods without eating, whether we are sick with a vanished appetite, our physical activity level has increased, or there is simply no food available.
Our bodies reserve fuel for a rainy day. One way the body stores fat was previously touched upon in the Carbohydrates chapter. The body transforms carbohydrates into glycogen that is in turn stored in the muscles for energy. When the muscles reach their capacity for glycogen storage, the excess is returned to the liver, where it is converted into triglycerides and then stored as fat. In a similar manner, much of the triglycerides the body receives from food is transported to fat storehouses within the body if not used for producing energy.
The chylomicrons are responsible for shuttling the triglycerides to various locations such as the muscles, breasts, external layers under the skin, and internal fat layers of the abdomen, thighs, and buttocks where they are stored by the body in adipose tissue for future use.
How is this accomplished? Recall that chylomicrons are large lipoproteins that contain a triglyceride and fatty-acid core. Capillary walls contain an enzyme called lipoprotein-lipase that dismantles the triglycerides in the lipoproteins into fatty acids and glycerol, thus enabling these to enter into the adipose cells.
Once inside the adipose cells, the fatty acids and glycerol are reassembled into triglycerides and stored for later use. Muscle cells may also take up the fatty acids and use them for muscular work and generating energy.
As the body calls for additional energy, the adipose tissue responds by dismantling its triglycerides and dispensing glycerol and fatty acids directly into the blood. Upon receipt of these substances the energy-hungry cells break them down further into tiny fragments.
These fragments go through a series of chemical reactions that yield energy, carbon dioxide, and water. Lipoproteins are characterized by size, density, and composition. As the size of the lipoprotein increases, the density decreases. What should you know about these lipoproteins?
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