Fats in the Body

Fat does lots of essential things in the body. And fat accounts for about 15%-30% or more of your weight, depending on the body's composition.

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Fat is an essential nutrient for the human body; fat is part of all body cells. Fat plays the following crucial roles in the human body:

 

Fat is involved in the absorption and transport of the body's fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K).

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Certain fat-containing foods provide the body with the essential fatty acids which the body can not make. The essential fatty acids for the human body are alpha-linolenic acid (an omega-3 fatty acid) and linoleic acid (an omega-6 fatty acid). The essential fatty acids are needed for body maintenance and are especially critical for the development and growth of children and infants. The essential fatty acids are important for healthy cells, and they play crucial roles in the proper functioning of the immune system.

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Fats provide energy to us. One gram of fat yields nine calories, compared to 4 kcalories for one gram of carbohydrate or protein. Most cells store only tiny amounts of fat, but specific cells, called fat cells or adipose cells, can accumulate loads of fat. Your fat cells can increase while growing up and even during adulthood.

 

At least 50% of stored body fat is located under the skin, where fat provides insulation, optimum body temperature, and a cushion around critical organs by acting like shock absorbers.