What Are Lipids Used for in the Body?
Lipids are essential fats that play a very important role in the human body. These fats help our body to run more smoothly in many ways. Lipids help with brain function, joint mobilization and even energy production. There are several different types of lipids such as triglycerides, fatty acids and saturated lipids, just to name a few. Not all lipids work in the same way. Different types of lipids do different things. For instance, essential fatty acids help to calm inflammation within the body and lubricate the joints, similar to oil on a squeaky wheel. The body makes some lipids and we also get lipids from our diet.
Vitamin Absorption
Lipids help the body to absorb fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamins A and E. These vitamins are needed to maintain healthy tissues, among many other things. Lipids assist the body by aiding in the absorption process. Without lipids, the body would be starved for nutrients because these nutrients are needed for normal bodily functions.
Cell Lubrication
Cell membranes are actually made up of lipids and plasma. Lipids coat the cells with lubrication, providing a protective barrier. Lipids allow for proper cell development and function. These fats have a bi-layer that helps the cells to function normally and control what foreign materials are diffused by the cell walls. The cells are made up of Lipids and more lipids are used to give the cells an additional coating of safety.
Energy Production
Lipids also help with energy production because they store energy through the triglyceride. This energy is stored and readily available for use in our cells, however this process has made people more prone to gain weight because the body favors fat more than other types of energy. This really isn't a problem unless a person eats too much fat and leads a sedentary lifestyle. Fat is good for the body, but since the body is naturally more prone to store fat, exercise is needed in order to maintain good health. Lipids are not the enemy, lifestyle is.
Messengers
Lipids also work within the body as messengers. Certain lipids such as unesterified fatty acids send signals as they bind to plasma membrane receptors. Lipids play a major role in the internal cellular communication by sending signals that influence certain things within the body. The messengers cause enzyme production, and protein kinases among many other functions. The body needs to produce enzymes for digestion and other functions, and protein assimilation is important for the health of tissue within the body.
Hormone Production
Lipids also work to regulate certain steroidal hormones. Polar lipids have sites called hydrophilic, which bind to hydrogen like glue, causing the proteins inside the membrane to stimulate hormone production. Lipids are so complex and they have so many functions within the human body. Hormone production is usually normal when lipid function is normal, as long as the thyroid is healthy. Lipids are essential to life.
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