Lipids

Lipids Latest News

New research challenges the view that proteins are the only key to evolution, highlighting the importance of lipids.

About Lipids

• Lipids are fatty, wax-like compounds that perform a variety of functions in your body. 
• Lipids are a structurally and functionally diverse group of hydrocarbons. Hydrocarbons are chemical compounds that consist of carbon and hydrogen atoms.
• Lipids are in your blood and throughout your body. They’re in every cell you have.
• Lipids like cholesterol are part of your cell membranes. 
• They give your cells structure and allow substances to go in and out of your cells.
• They help with moving and storing energy, absorbing vitamins, and making hormones. 
• Lipids are not soluble in water as they are non-polar but are thus soluble in non-polar solvents such as chloroform.
• Lipids are found in higher quantities in fried foods, animal fats, and dairy products like cream, butter, and cheese.
• Various lipids have different functions. These include:
  • Triglycerides transport and store energy.
  • Steroid hormones send messages in cells.
  • Bile salts from cholesterol help digest fat.
  • Fatty acids metabolize to create energy.
  • Phospholipids and cholesterol make biological membranes. Phospholipids are like gatekeepers that let some molecules into your cells but require others to come in with proteins.
• Your body can produce the amount of lipids it needs. However, sometimes, it produces the wrong amount of lipids. This can cause:
  • Hyperlipidemia (high lipid levels).
  • Hypolipidemia (low lipid levels).
  • Hypercholesterolemia.
  • Atherosclerosis.
  • Coronary artery disease.
  • Hypertriglyceridemia.

Source: TH

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