Fats, aren’t they public enemy number one? What are they exactly?
For many, many years fats have been
believed to be the reason for weight gain, clogging up of blood vessels,
increasing your risk at diseases such as breast or bowl cancer or even heart
ailments. However, this is not the entire truth, is it?
believed to be the reason for weight gain, clogging up of blood vessels,
increasing your risk at diseases such as breast or bowl cancer or even heart
ailments. However, this is not the entire truth, is it?
Fats are complex and they are one of the
three main macronutrients; along with proteins and carbohydrates that are
required for your diet. However, not all fats are the same and have a negative
effect on your health. Your body does require a certain amount of fats in the
body to function.
three main macronutrients; along with proteins and carbohydrates that are
required for your diet. However, not all fats are the same and have a negative
effect on your health. Your body does require a certain amount of fats in the
body to function.
Two of the most commonly associated terms
that have been associated with fats are Cholesterol & Triglycerides. Are
these two the same and what is the main difference between them? While both are
fatty substances (lipids) that are present in our bloodstream, triglycerides
are the fats whereas cholesterol is NOT.
that have been associated with fats are Cholesterol & Triglycerides. Are
these two the same and what is the main difference between them? While both are
fatty substances (lipids) that are present in our bloodstream, triglycerides
are the fats whereas cholesterol is NOT.
Triglycerides are the subgroup o f lipids
and are the main constituent of body fat. There are different kinds of fats,
the saturated (bad/unhealthy) fats,
unsaturated fats (healthy) fats, cis fat, omega fatty acids and trans fat.
and are the main constituent of body fat. There are different kinds of fats,
the saturated (bad/unhealthy) fats,
unsaturated fats (healthy) fats, cis fat, omega fatty acids and trans fat.
Triglycerides are fats that we get directly
from the foods we eat. This means that we externally rely on food substances to
create triglycerides.
from the foods we eat. This means that we externally rely on food substances to
create triglycerides.
They get their name from their structure,
i.e. the liver builds them from raw elements of fatty acids and glucose. While
they can be stored in the liver, they can also be even sent to other parts of
the body to be stored intramuscularly.
i.e. the liver builds them from raw elements of fatty acids and glucose. While
they can be stored in the liver, they can also be even sent to other parts of
the body to be stored intramuscularly.
However, high amounts of triglycerides in
the body can be harmful. This happens when excessive calories are consumed. The
extra calories automatically get converted into triglycerides, which are stored
in fat cells. They usually come from eating
excessive amounts of carbohydrates and fats from your diet.
the body can be harmful. This happens when excessive calories are consumed. The
extra calories automatically get converted into triglycerides, which are stored
in fat cells. They usually come from eating
excessive amounts of carbohydrates and fats from your diet.
However, cholesterol cannot be mistaken as
fat. Unlike triglycerides, cholesterol comes from two direct sources- your body
and from external food sources.
fat. Unlike triglycerides, cholesterol comes from two direct sources- your body
and from external food sources.
Cholesterol is a waxy, fax-like substance
that can be found in all of the cells of the body. Cholesterol is a lipid but
not a fat and is made by the liver. Cholesterol is considered to be a builder
inside the body, i.e. required to make hormones, substances to digest your food
and even vitamin D. Cholesterol is known for playing a crucial role in building
sex hormones, stress hormones,
that can be found in all of the cells of the body. Cholesterol is a lipid but
not a fat and is made by the liver. Cholesterol is considered to be a builder
inside the body, i.e. required to make hormones, substances to digest your food
and even vitamin D. Cholesterol is known for playing a crucial role in building
sex hormones, stress hormones,
Cholesterol travels in the body in packages
called lipoproteins which are made up of fat (lipid) on the inside and protein
on the outside. There are two types of lipoproteins that carry cholesterol
throughout the body and they include low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and
high-density lipoproteins (HDL).
called lipoproteins which are made up of fat (lipid) on the inside and protein
on the outside. There are two types of lipoproteins that carry cholesterol
throughout the body and they include low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and
high-density lipoproteins (HDL).
Triglycerides can be burned off to create
energy that is required by the body. On the other hand cholesterol is used for different
bodily functions such as producing hormones or aiding in digestion, etc.
energy that is required by the body. On the other hand cholesterol is used for different
bodily functions such as producing hormones or aiding in digestion, etc.
The amount of fat consumed by the body
affects the cholesterol levels in the body; whereas the number of calories that
are consumed effect the triglycerides level.
It is easy to find out both your triglycerides and calorie level through a simple blood test. While the normal range for triglycerides is below 150, your LDL should not be less than 100. As for HDL, the higher the level, the better it is.
affects the cholesterol levels in the body; whereas the number of calories that
are consumed effect the triglycerides level.
It is easy to find out both your triglycerides and calorie level through a simple blood test. While the normal range for triglycerides is below 150, your LDL should not be less than 100. As for HDL, the higher the level, the better it is.
In the next blog, find out how to reduce your cholesterol levels.
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