What is cholesterol and can we make it in our body?
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Cholesterol has received its share of negative press over the years, however it is important to realize that cholesterol is absolutely vital to our existence. Cholesterol can be made in many cells, and under normal situations we seem to make all that we need. In fact, we will make about 1 g of cholesterol each day depending on how much cholesterol is in the diet. The liver is by far the most productive organ when it comes to making cholesterol and one of its jobs is to share with the rest of the body. Cholesterol is a necessary component of cell membranes and many vital substances in the body are made from cholesterol (See Cholesterol Products Figure). These substances include bile components, vitamin D, testosterone, estrogens, aldosterone, progesterone, and cortisol. |
Can fatty acids vary in length?
For the most part, the length of fatty acids can vary by as much as twenty carbon atoms or so. If a fatty acid has four carbon atoms or less, it is referred to as a short-chain fatty acid. On the other hand, if a fatty acid chain has six to twelve or greater than twelve carbon atoms, it would be referred to as a medium-chain fatty acid or a long-chain fatty acid, respectively. Often, fatty acids with twenty or more carbon atoms are referred to as very long chain fatty acids. Most fatty acids in nature have an even number of carbons, yet some fatty acids do indeed have an odd number of carbons.
What are saturated and unsaturated fatty acids?
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Fatty acids can differ in their degree of saturation. Saturation refers to whether all of the carbon atoms between the end carbons are linked to two atoms of hydrogen. If this is the case, then the carbons are saturated with hydrogen and that particular fatty acid would be called a saturated fatty acid (SFA) (see Fatty Acids Figure). However, if at one or more points adjacent carbon atoms are bonded to only a single hydrogen atom each, the fatty acid would then be an unsaturated fatty acid (see Fatty Acids Figure). By nature, when two adjacent carbon atoms in a fatty acid are linked to only one hydrogen atom each, the carbon atoms must bond to each other twice. Chemists call this a double bond and if a fatty acid has only one double bond, it is referred to as a monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA). Meanwhile, if there is more than one double bond, then it is a polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA). |
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