Hello Everyone! In the beginning of the week I shared some information concerning fats, why we need them and what they do.Today I am going to go even deeper on how your body uses fat. In this day and age, where it is standard in fashion to be deathly skinny, I believe it more important then ever, to supply this information to our girls and women. Maybe if they see exactly how not eating fat breaks down Their bodies, they will strive to eat healthier.
So enjoy and have wonderful day/evening!
~Peace~
Your Body and Fats
The word "fat" has been a negative word when used int the context of the Western diet since the late 20th century. This opinion is quite misleading, however. Fats perform a wide range of vital functions in the human body, from maintaining healthy cells to protecting organs. Fat is one of the three required building blocks of the human diet, along with proteins and carbohydrates. Certain fats-the essential fatty acids (or EFAs)-cannot be synthesized by the body, so they need to be a regular part of the diet. Among their numerous vital functions, consumption of "healthy" essential fatty acids helps to keep hair shiny and nails strong and protects the eyes from disease.
Keep Reading To Find How Your Body Uses Fat In Detail
Maintain Brain Performance~Brain tissue contains a high concentration of fatty acids an is particularly high in essential fatty acids, obtained from sources such as fish and seeds. Keeping up adequate levels of this nutrient is important in maintaining brain function, and is vital to brain development in infants.
Protects Against Eye Disease~Diets higher in omega 3 fatty acids (EFAs), found in foods such as oily fish, including salmon and various nuts, may help to protect against cataracts and diseases of the retina. One EFA actually makes up 60 percent of the structure of the light receptors in the eye. Fat is vital for absorption of vitamin A, needed for healthy eyes.
Prevent Liver Disease~Cholesterol is an important constitution of bile acid, the substance secreted by the liver that breaks down fats in the diet. Essential fats also help to prevent liver disease by protecting liver cells from the effects of alcohol.
Stop Hunger Pains~Fat-free eating does not ensure weight loss. Fat in foods delivers a feeling of satiety, the sense that we've had enough to eat. If there is no fat in a meal, we don't get "full" as quickly and eat more calories.
Speed Up Healing~Essential fatty acids fave an important role in speeding up the body's ability to heal wounds and infections.
Cushion The Organs~Layers of white fat are deposited inside the body, forming a protective covering for the body's vital organs, such as the heart, liver and kidneys, cushioning them from damage and physical shock.
General Heat~The layer of fat just under the skin's surface protects from temperature extremes; the breakdown of fat also generates heat. Eskimos get about 60 calories from fat.
Hormone Production~Essential fatty acids are proven to help reduce the symptoms of PMS and menopause, particularly gamma-linoleic acid, found in evening primrose oil. Essential fats are also converted into prostaglandin, a hormone that regulates many important functions in the body, such as nerve transmissions, heart, liver and kidney function and fluid balance.
Strengthen Nails~Maintaining a good intake of the essential fatty acids omega-3 and omega-6 in your diet can help to prevent cracked and unhealthy nails.
Waterproofing The Skin~Fats are required for waterproofing the skin's surface. An adequate intake of essential fatty acids can also prevent skin problems such as eczema.
Keep Joints Supple~As you get older and your joints become stiffer, including a healthy level of essential fatty acids in your diet can help protect against the onset of arthritis and joint pain.
Thin Your Blood~Omega-3 essential fatty acids help to lower the risk of serious illnesses such as a stroke or a heat attack. This is because these fats actually reduce the "stickiness" of the blood.
Prevent Hardened Arteries~Your blood vessels use polyunsaturated fats to provide the flexibility that allows them to absorb the pressure generated every time your heart beats. Without that flexibility, hardening of the arteries would occur.
The Steps Fat Takes Through Ingestion To Digestion
1. Passage To The Stomach~Food containing fats enters the mouth and passes down the esophagus into the stomach. At this stage, fats are bound together with the alcohol glycerol.
2. Role Of Bile~Bile salts (produced by the liver) mix with the fat droplets, breaking them up into smaller droplets called "micelles", speeding up their digestion.
3. Fatty Acids~Meanwhile, the pancreas secretes enzymes that attack the surface of the micelles, breaking the fats down into their component parts of fatty acids and glycerol.
4. Absorption Of Fats~These components are absorbed through the stomach lining and reassembled with a protein coating to make the fat dissolve more easily in water.
5. Role Of Lymph~Too large to pass directly into the blood, the reassembled fat components enter the lymphatic system where they eventually drain into the veins and pass into the bloodstream.
6. Action Of Insulin~Once in the bloodstream the fatty particles are again broken down into fats and fatty acids by the hormone insulin.
7. Storage Of Fat~These molecules can then be absorbed from the bloodstream into the liver cells, muscle cells and fat cells, to be released and used whenever they are required by the body.
