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Fat
one of the three main nutrients fat, protein and carbohydrates
Index
This is intended to help you navigate to the part you are interested in more easily
What is it? And what's the talk of saturated and unsaturated fat all about?
- it is a molecule usually made up of three fatty acids
- an unsaturated fat is due to its chemical structure inclined to connect/bond with other particles
- unsaturated fats are less viscous than saturated fats
- saturated fats are used primarily as energy sources; they give more than twice as much energy as proteins
- unlike proteins fats do not need water in order to be metabolised
- saturated fats can be metabolised by the body provided there is sufficient intake of proteins and carbohydrates
- unsaturated fats are divided into Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids, sometimes Omega 9 fatty acids are mentioned
What are they for?
- saturated fats are used to protect organs and as an energy source
- unsaturated fats have various tasks
- regulate the general metabolism
- they are a crucial part of all cells within the body
- crucial for the functioning of the nervous system
What does the body do with the fat in order to use is?
- in the small intestine a fat molecule is split up into its fatty acids with the help of choler (gall bladder secrets) and
secretions from the pancreas in order to make the fat useable for the body
How much is needed?
- a dog with an acceptable body weight needs about 1g per kg of body weight, that is 0.5g per pound (lb) of body weight
- is a dog underweight she should eat a little more in proportion and the opposite goes for reduction of fat in overweight dogs
What happens in cases of a deficiency?
- underweight
- fatigue
- fat soluable Vitamins A, D, E and K cannot be absorbed by the body
- circulation problems
- hair and skin problems (due to the inability to metabolise fat soluable vitamins)
What happens in cases of overdose?
- overweight
- excess fat harms organs involved in fat metabolism, such as liver, kidney, gall bladder, heart, etc
Which foods contain fat? (this is not an exclusive list, only a few examples of common products)
- unsaturated fatty acid sources
- fish oil
- corn oil
- hazelnut oil
- sunflower oil
- almond oil
- saturated fatty acid sources
- tallow
- chicken fat
- lard
- butter
- cream
Sources:
- European Union Directorate-General for Health and Consumer Protection
- subsection "Animal nutrition and feed safety"
- subsection "Labeling and Nutrition"
- subsection "Food safety"
- the German Federal Ministry of Health
- the German Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection
- U.S. Department of Health and Human services
- subsection "Food and Drug Administration"
- Association of American Feed Control Officials
- The Finnish National Public Health Institute - "Fineli"
- the UK Department of Health
- the UK Department for Enviornment, Food and Rural Affairs - "defra"
NB: the author does not guarantee the accuracy of this information or accept responsibility for harm caused through it
This article may be reproduced freely with proper reference to the author.
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