- Lipids are one of the main types of foodstuffs. They act as a major energy fuel to the body and give more heat and energy than carbohydrates.
- Certain normal breakdown products of fatty acids in the body such as acetic acid and bile acids form important building blocks of biologically active and complex materials like cholesterol, sex hormones, and steroids.
- Another function of the dietary lipid is to supply essential dietary constituent known as the essential fatty acids (EFA). They resemble vitamins, and they cannot be synthesised by the body and, therefore, should be supplied in the diet in small quantities for optimal growth. Examples of EFA are linoleic acid, linolenic acid, and arachidonic acid.
- Fat deposited underneath the skin exerts insulating effect to the body. It protects the body from excessive cold and heat. Obese people can withstand cold and heat better than lean people. The mesenteric fat acts as padding and protects the internal organs.
- Vitamins A, D, E, and K, which are fat-soluble vitamins, are dietary essentials.
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