Fats are substances that are not soluble in water. They are composed of fatty acids and glycerol. Fats are also called lipids.
Sources of fat include animal meat, fish, and vegetable oils. Fats are used by the body:
In every cell structure.
Especially to build nerves and brain. The brain is 40% fat.
To insulate the body.
To produce sex hormones and adrenal cortex hormone
To produce cholesterol (essential for cell membranes and bile salts, for example).
To absorb certain vitamins (A, D, E, and K).
To store energy.
Fats have got themselves a bad name in recent times, yet they are an essential food. That is, the body requires its intake of fat every day for health and, especially, well being. Like the other groups of food, when the body does not get the fat it needs, then illness results.