Fat is the invisible boss that maintains human health

The three autumns are coming to an end and winter is about to come.

The fairies can’t help but want to lose weight!

The topic of weight loss has always been of great concern to the public. From the initial popularity of dieting to the current rise of fat burning and body shaping, these operations are undoubtedly aimed at fat. When it comes to fat, most fairies cannot be said to hate "fat" to the bone, but they can be said to hate it deeply. However, if you jump out of the weight loss mindset, fat is a major contributor to the human body!

One of the three major energy substances in the human body

Fat, carbohydrates and protein together constitute the three major energy-producing nutrients of the human body, providing the energy needed by humans on a daily basis. A person weighing 60 kg needs about 1800 to 2400 calories per day. When the calories consumed from food are too much to be consumed, they will be converted into fat and stored as a functional reserve to prevent the body from needing them.

The bridge between the brain and the body

Fatty acids are the main components of fat. The human body needs high-quality fatty acids to form cell membranes and maintain the health of myelin. Myelin is a fatty structure wrapped around the outer layer of neurons. Myelin wraps around nerve fibers and plays an insulating and protective role to prevent nerve fibers from being damaged. It can also regulate nerve impulses to ensure that information transmission between neurons is more accurate and efficient, just like a soundproofing board that isolates unnecessary signals to coordinate our behavior.

If there is a lack of high-quality fatty acids, the quality of the myelin sheath will be affected, the conduction of neurons will also be affected, thus affecting the health of the human body. Therefore, maintaining an appropriate intake of high-quality fatty acids is very important for maintaining human health.

Vitamin carrier

Fatty acids can promote the absorption of some fat-soluble vitamins, such as vitamins A, D, E, K, etc., which must rely on fatty acids to enter the body.

The "conductor" that regulates hormones and immunity

Fat plays a key role in maintaining the normal function of the immune system. For example, unsaturated fatty acids in fat, such as omega-3 fatty acids, can enhance the activity and responsiveness of immune cells, helping to fight germs and infections. At the same time, fat can also affect the production and signal transmission of cytokines, thereby regulating the immune system.

Some fatty acids can be converted into hormones, such as testosterone and estrogen, which are essential for the physical development and reproductive health of men and women. If there is not enough fat, the decrease in estrogen in girls may cause menstrual disorders or even amenorrhea.

There are three places where fat usually resides: subcutaneous, internal organs, and ducts.

Subcutaneous fat is the "fat" on the bodies of fairies that can be seen every day. In the process of biological evolution, subcutaneous fat plays an important role in keeping warm. Fat has poor thermal conductivity and can prevent heat dissipation from the body surface in cold weather. In addition, when we feel cold, the body will secrete norepinephrine to stimulate fat decomposition to provide heat energy for the body. The fat living in the internal organs is like clothes "worn" outside the organs, which plays a role in supporting, stabilizing and protecting the internal organs. As the name suggests, ductal fat is the fat in the ducts of our internal blood vessels, intestines, trachea, etc.

Although fat is good, it also requires moderation. Too much fat can cause significant harm to the human body, in addition to visible obesity.

Excessive visceral fat leads to abnormal functions of organs such as fatty heart, fatty liver, fatty kidney, and fatty pancreas.

Too much fat in the ducts - Too much fat will adhere to the inner walls of the ducts, affecting organ function and easily causing cardiovascular disease, fatty liver, diabetes and other diseases.

Produced by Guangdong Science and Technology Newspaper Media Center

Gatekeeper expert | Deng Yuhong, Director and Chief Physician of the Nutrition Department, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University

Text | Zhuo Yingzi

Review | Liu Xiaoyong