Lipids, oils and fats
The types of lipids Examples of foods which contain lipids: Oils
Lipids are formed of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen atoms. There are two types of lipids:
Fats
How the body uses lipids
Lipids are the building blocks of cell membranes and some hormones in your body. For example, cholesterol is a lipid that makes sex hormones. Lipids also store energy as fat and insulate your body and organs.
You need lipids in your diet for good health. Lipids can be broken down into fatty acids and glycerol, which are important molecules for your body. Some fatty acids are essential and you can get them from foods like nuts, seeds or fish.
However, you should not eat too much food that is high in lipids. This is because lipids have a lot of energy and can make you gain weight if you do not exercise enough. The recommended amount of fat for adults and teenagers is no more than 70 g per day.
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