Fats and cholesterol
A human being's body needs fats and cholesterol in order to keep it health. In childhood stage, fat is very important because it helps the brain to develop normally. It also supports growth and provides the body with energy. Similarly cholesterol is also needed in the body because it helps in building the wall of the cells and also helps in production of hormones and vitamin D (Sizer, 2007). Thus it is vital to have some cholesterol and fat in ones body. However, excessive consumption of fat and cholesterol result to health problems.
Fats and cholesterol differ in that fats are subgroup of lipids and a lipid is referred to as fats if at room temperatures it remains solid. It is known as oil if it remains liquid at room temperatures. Fats and oils are obtained from plant and animal products. On the other hand, cholesterol is a waxy, odorless, powder substance which is white in color and is found in human beings cells.
Importance of fats and cholesterol in the body
Fat is vital in the body because it gives protection to the internal organs of the body like kidney and heart. Diet with fats provides the necessary fat acids like lineleic acid which the body requires on daily basis. In addition fats help in maximizing the brain functions and brain development for the unborn babies. Similarly, cholesterol is vital in the body because it helps in hormones manufacture, repairing the cell membrane and also production of vitamin D (Kirschmann, 2006).
It is recommended that human being should take 5 percent to 10 percent of energy from omega-6, fatty acids and 0.6 percent to 1.2 percent from omega-3 fatty acids. It is also required that daily intake of cholesterol should be less than 300 milligrams. In addition total serum cholesterol should be less than 200 milligrams per deciliter of blood.
Fats sources include plant and animal products. Meat, bacon and dairy products are animal products which provide fats. Sunflower, peanut and soy beans are the plant products that provide fats. On the other hand, cholesterol used in the body is produced from the liver or from animal products like eggs, fish, butter sausage and ice-cream (Paulien, 1995).
On examining my diet I consume much cholesterol and less fat because I mostly consume animal products like eggs, ice-cream, sausage and butter, and less plant products.
