Fat is an essential nutrient, which contributes approximately 30-45% of food energy in western diets. In technical they are referred to as lipids.
Fat along with proteins and carbohydrates, one of the three nutrients are used as energy sources by the body. They are used as a source of fuel, especially within the myocardium.
Each grams of fat consumed supplies the body with 9 calories worth of energy. Total fat: the sum of saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. Cholesterol is from another lipid family called sterols
Saturated and monounsaturated fatty are important in the body for energetic, physiological, and structural functions, and they are present in many foods.
Intake of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats can help reduce blood cholesterol when substituted for saturated fats in the diet.
WHO and Dietary Reference Intake suggest 20-35% of total calories with a minimum of 20 % which prevent increased triglycerides and lowered lipoproteins in blood this condition occurs when less fat diet with high carbs is consumed and a max of 35 % of limited saturated fat which results in weight gain.
The majority of dietary fat is composed of triglycerides, the storage form of fatty acids that make up 95% of dietary fat.
Essential nutrient of fat
