Difference Between Fat and Cholesterol

Introduction

Both fats and cholesterol belong to a group of molecules called lipids or triglycerides. They both come under the category of saturated and trans-fats. These are both stable fats, and such fatty acids, that are difficult to break down during digestion. The stabilization of saturated fats is caused due to the single bond present between atoms of carbon and hydrogen.

The stabilization of trans-fats is due to the partial hydrogenation of unsaturated trans- fatty acids, making them saturated, and where extra hydrogen raises its melting point.

Only saturated fat serves as a source of energy that to limited intake. But excess intake leads to cholesterol. These are also called good fats. However, unlike fat, cholesterol can't be sweated out, exercised off, or burned for energy. Therefore, it is called bad fats. The increased cholesterol or bad fats in your diet increases the risk of developing heart disease.

What is Fat?

Fats are fatty acid substances that are solid at room temperature. They are constituents of plants and animal fat. The fat substances from plants like olive oil, nuts, soybean oil, and so on are unsaturated fats. Animal fats include a wide variety of meat, milk, eggs, etc, and are saturated fats. In other words, they are healthy fats. But large intakes of these saturated fats lead to cholesterol.

Importance of Fat

• Fat molecules are long-term energy reserves and store large amounts of energy in a reduced space. These are saturated and stable molecules that are tightly packed without water.

• It helps to protect vital organs like the liver, heart, and kidneys.

• It facilitates the delivery of fat-soluble vitamins A, E, D, and K to the digestive system and enhances their intestinal absorption.

• The presence of subcutaneous fat in tissues (thighs and buttocks) acts as a cushion that insulates the body from extreme temperatures and maintains the internal climate under control.

• Lipids or fat help in brain activity, like insulating neurons, and transmitting the signalling of electrical impulses throughout the brain.

• It contains dissolved compounds that give aroma, and mouth-watering flavours and satisfies the appetite.

What is Cholesterol?

A waxy or fatty molecule called cholesterol is present in the body's blood and cells. Milk, cream, ghee, cheese, butter, cream, portions of margarine, and spreads are all fatty substances or sources of cholesterol. Such food is good for health and used for making tissues, cell walls, hormones, bile acid, and vitamin D. Though its large intake deposits fats in the blood vessels which increases the risk of heart disease such as stroke.

Causes of High Cholesterol

Unhealthy cholesterol is due to these factors-

• Eating excess saturated or trans fats leads to a poor diet.

• More intake of these unsaturated fatty acids causes obesity.

• Exposure to tobacco smoke and alcohol consumption enhances the chances of high cholesterol.

• Lack of physical activity also leads to fatness.

Types of Cholesterol

There are two main types of cholesterol or fat-carrying protein called a lipoprotein.

LDL or low-density lipoprotein:

It's referred to as bad cholesterol. This lipoprotein transports cholesterol to the cells that need it, but too much of it can accumulate in the arterial walls and cause artery disease.

HDL or high-density lipoprotein:

It's referred to as "healthy cholesterol." This lipoprotein transports cholesterol to the liver from the cells. Then it is decomposed or excreted from the body as waste. It implies that they are easily digested.

Difference Between Fat and Cholesterol

Fat	Cholesterol
It is a solid substance that occurs in animal and plant tissues.	It is naturally found in humans and synthesized in the liver.
Fats are the source of energy.	It produces vitamin D, bile acids, and hormones.
It helps to protect vital organs, transport fat-soluble vitamins, and help in various brain activities.	It helps to build cells and in the transportation of substances outside the cell.
There are three types of fats- saturated, unsaturated, and trans-fats.	These include two types: High-Density Lipoprotein and Low-Density Lipoprotein are two types of cholesterol.
Excess fat causes cholesterol.	Excess cholesterol causes heart stroke.

Fun Facts

• Infants get the highest source of cholesterol when they are born and have their first feed from mother’s milk. Nowadays, cholesterol is present in baby formula as well.

• Fats are essential for brain development in children.

• High cholesterol can be genetic.

• When we consume foods containing cholesterol, like fish, meat, dairy, and so on, our body gets rid of the excess if it’s functioning normally. Also, it is in our genes how much we can consume or get used to such food.

• Exercise helps raise good cholesterol levels. Aside from healthy eating foods like avocado and heart-healthy salmon (which raises HDL levels), it is necessary to work out what protects against heart disease.

Conclusion

Fats and cholesterol belong to the same group of saturated fatty acids. Fats include milk, meat, butter, chicken, etc. These substances are necessary nutrients for our diet, but a large intake causes cholesterol. Cholesterol or fats are spherical particles that flow in the bloodstream as lipoproteins. There are two types of lipoproteins, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). HDL carries cholesterol to the liver and absorbs and produces energy, therefore considered good cholesterol. However, low-density lipoprotein is bad cholesterol as it is intact in the blood vessels and makes blood flow difficult, causing clotting and thus heart stroke.

FAQs

1. Which fat affects your cholesterol levels?

Saturated fat and trans fats like meat, cakes, dairy products, potato chips, and so on raise low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels in the blood. However, limits on saturated fat are better, and excess may cause cholesterol. Trans fats are poor or unhealthy fats.

2. Does fat convert to cholesterol?

Unnecessary fat turned into cholesterol. The cholesterol is produced in the liver, absorbed by tissues, and passes out as waste. However, the excess stays in the arterial walls and damages the arteries.

3. How does excess fat cholesterol affect the heart?

High cholesterol deposits fats in the blood vessels, causing blood to flow with difficulty through arteries. These deposits are broken down suddenly and form a clot that causes a heart stroke.

4. Is cholesterol used for energy?

Cholesterol is a source of nutrients. Cholesterol is a precursor to steroid hormones. Unlike protein, fat, and carbohydrates, which are energy sources, cholesterol is a vital structural and functional component of your body's metabolism. Only excess of it is harmful.

5. How much fat do we need?

According to Dietary Reference Intake, fats intake should be 20% to 35% of total calories from fat in adults. If we consume 2,000 calories, it gives off 44 to 77 grams of fat per day. It is preferred to have the required amounts of fats because they provide health benefits.

6. What happens if you eat too many fatty foods?

A large intake of fat makes you overweight. Saturated or stable fats in a diet increase cholesterol and an increase in cholesterol level leads to the heart causing diseases. That is why it is necessary to take enough fat.