< b>Fatty acid: One of many molecules that are long chains of lipid-carboxylic
acid found in fats and oils and in cell membranes as a component of phospholipids
and glycolipids. (Carboxylic acid is an organic acid containing the functional group
-COOH.)
Fatty acids come from animal and vegetable fats and oils. Fatty acids play roles
outside the body; they are used as lubricants, in cooking and food engineering,
and in the production of soaps, detergents, and cosmetics.
Related terms include the following:
Essential fatty acid: An essential fatty acid is a polyunsaturated fatty
acid needed by the body that is synthesized by plants but not by the human body
and is therefore a dietary requirement.
Free fatty acids: By-products of the metabolism of fat in adipose tissues.
Omega-3 fatty acids: Omega-3 fatty acids are a class of fatty acids found
in fish oils, especially in salmon and other cold-water fish, that lowers the levels
of cholesterol and LDL (low-density lipoproteins) in the blood. (LDL cholesterol
is the "bad" cholesterol.)
Trans fatty acid:Trans fatty acids (trans fats) are made through hydrogenation
to solidify liquid oils. They increase the shelf life of oils and are found in vegetable
shortenings and in some margarines, crackers, cookies, and snack foods. Intake of
trans fatty acids increases blood LDL-cholesterol ("bad" cholesterol) levels and
raises the risk of coronary heart disease.
medical
dictionary, online medical dictionary, medical
terminology dictionary, free online medical
dictionary, medical dictionary, online medical
dictionary, medical terminology dictionary, free
online medical dictionary, dictionary medical,
dictionary medical online, dictionary medical
terminology, dictionary free medical online,
dictionary free medical, dictionary medical
terms, dictionary drug medical medicine,
dictionary health illustrated medical nursing
profession stedmans, dictionary English medical,
dictionary medical online terminology,
dictionary encyclopedia medical online,
condition dictionary medical, dictionary
medical, dictionary drug medical, medical
dictionary software, cyclopedic dictionary index
medical tabers thumb, medical dictionary, online
medical dictionary, medical terminology
dictionary
