Digestion of Fat in the Body
Fat must first be digested and absorbed to perform its functions in the body. Fats are difficult for the body to digest and absorb because fat and water do not mix. Protein is soluble in water and will help the solubility of fats.
Fats are digested very little before they reach the upper part of the small intestine. Once fats reach the small intestine, the gallbladder is stimulated to release bile into the intestine. Bile contains bile acids that emulsify fat, meaning bile splits fats into small globules or pieces. This allows the enzyme to take off at least two fatty acids from each triglyceride so that they can be absorbed across the intestine wall.
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Once absorbed into the cells of the small intestine, triglycerides are re-formed. The body wraps triglycerides and cholesterol in protein so they can float in the bloodstream. The resulting substance is called a lipoprotein. Lipoprotein is a combination of fat, protein, and cholesterol.
A lipoprotein called chylomicron carries mostly triglycerides from the intestine through the lymph to the blood and the body’s cells. The cells either burn the triglycerides for energy or store them.