AllRefer Health - Caring for your Well Being  

Home | About | FAQs | Contact Us

AllRefer Channels :: Yellow Pages | Reference | Health  

Diet & Nutrition
Select & Go
 Diet & Nutrition
 Diseases & Conditions 
 Health News
 Injuries & Wounds
 Poisons & Overdoses
 Surgery & Procedures 
 Symptoms Guide
 Special Topics
 Tests & Exams
 Pictures & Images
 Medical Encyclopedia
Google
  Web health.allrefer.com   

You are here : AllRefer.com > Health > Diet & Nutrition > Fat

Fat

Provided by A.D.A.M.

Definition

Overview & Function

Food Sources

Recommendations

Side Effects

Pictures & Images

Go To Main Page

Alternate Names : Diet - Fat, Lipids, Monounsaturated Fat, Polyunsaturated Fat, Saturated Fat


Definition

Fats are organic compounds that are made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen; they are the most concentrated source of energy in foods. Fats belong to a group of substances called lipids. Fats come in liquid or solid form. All fats are combinations of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. Fats can be called very saturated or very unsaturated depending on their proportions.

Pictures & Images

Healthy Diet
Healthy Diet

Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Calories and Fat Per Serving
Calories and Fat Per Serving

Saturated Fats
Saturated Fats

Trans-Fatty Acids
Trans-Fatty Acids

 
     See all Pictures & Images
Overview & Functions

Fat is one of the three nutrients (along with protein and carbohydrates) that supply calories to the body. Fat provides 9 Calories per gram, more than twice the number provided by carbohydrates or protein.

Fat is essential for the proper functioning of the body. Fats provide the "essential" fatty acids, which are not made by the body and must be obtained from food. Linoleic acid is the most important essential fatty acid, especially for the growth and development of infants. Fatty acids provide the raw materials that help in the control of blood pressure, blood clotting, inflammation, and other body functions.

Fat serves as the storage substance for the body's extra calories. It fills the fat cells (adipose tissue) that help insulate the body. Fats are also an important energy source. When the body has used up the calories from carbohydrate, which occurs after the first 20 minutes of exercise, it begins to depend on the calories from fat.

Healthy skin and hair are maintained by fat. Fat helps in the absorption, and transport through the bloodstream of the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K.


Today's Top News Stories

79 Million Americans Struggle to Pay Medical Bills - Aug 20, 2008, 09:00
New numbers show the problem is getting worse, not better, even for middle class.

Compression Stockings Often Incorrectly Used - Aug 20, 2008, 09:00
29% of patients had problems with size of devices used to prevent deep vein clots, study finds.

Arsenic in Drinking Water Raises Diabetes Risk - Aug 19, 2008, 17:00
Even low levels, like those found in U.S., could boost the odds, study finds.

Obesity Rates Up in 37 States: Report - Aug 19, 2008, 16:00
At least 20% of adults are obese in every state except Colorado.

Cognitive Score Changes Over Time May Hint at Dementia - Aug 19, 2008, 16:00
Study authors stress new method is a complement to current testing.


<

^ Top

>


Jump to another section

Definition
Fat: Overview & Functions
Fat: Food Sources
Fat: Recommendations
Fat: Side Effects
Pictures & Images

Topics that might be of interest to you

Diseases & Conditions

Cancer
Heart Disease

Tests & Exams

Blood Pressure

Other Topics

Carbohydrates
Cholesterol
Obesity
Protein in Diet

Review Date : 9/3/2002
Reviewed By : A.D.A.M. editorial (9/3/02). Previous review: Poune Saberi, M.D., M.P.H., Family Practice and Community Medicine. University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network (11/20/01).

Main Page of Fat






Featured Topics

Alzheimer's Disease

High Blood Pressure

Crohn's Disease

Impotence

Overactive Bladder


ADAM

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial reviewers. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2003 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

Copyright © 2007 AllRefer.com All Rights reserved.
Health Topics: A-Al Am-Az B C-Cj Ck-Cz D E F G H I J K L M N O P-Pl Pm-Pz Q R S-Sl Sm-Sz T U V W X Y Z 0-9
About Us | Help | Privacy Policy | Editorial Policy | Advertising Policy | Accessibility | Terms of Use
Contact Us | Link to Us | User Satisfaction Survey | Healthopedia.com
Page Last Updated: 20 Aug, 2008