Abstract
Fatty acids (FA) serve two primary metabolic functions. They are an important fuel source, and are the fundamental structural units of complex lipids like triacylglycerol and phospholipids. FAs are derived either directly from dietary 'fat' (triacylglycerol) or from endogenous synthesis. Mitochondrial β-oxidation is the primary pathway for recovery of energy stored in FAs. Peroxisomal α- and β-oxidation pathways degrade certain toxic FAs but are also important in the synthesis of bile acids and the ω3 FA, docosahexaenoic acid. Saturated and monounsaturated FAs can be synthesized from excess dietary carbohydrate, but polyunsaturated FA synthesis relies on ingestion of dietary essential FAs.
Original language | English (US) |
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Title of host publication | Encyclopedia of Human Nutrition |
Publisher | Elsevier Inc. |
Pages | 220-230 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Volume | 2-4 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 9780123848857 |
ISBN (Print) | 9780123750839 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 1 2012 |
Keywords
- Complex lipid synthesis
- Essential fatty acids
- Fatty acid activation
- Fatty acid elongation
- Fatty acid synthesis
- Fatty acid β-oxidation
- Ketogenesis
- Mitochondria
- O-Oxidation
- Peroxisomes
- Protein acylation
- ω-Oxidation
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Medicine