Lipids

“Lipids are organic compounds that contain hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen atoms, which
form the framework for the structure and function of living cells.”
These organic compounds are nonpolar molecules, which are soluble only in nonpolar solvents
and insoluble in water because water is a polar molecule. In the human body, these molecules
can be synthesized in the liver and are found in oil, butter, whole milk, cheese, fried foods and
also in some red meats.
Functions :
Fats play several major roles in our body. Some of the important roles of fats are mentioned
below:
 Fats in the correct amounts are necessary for the proper functioning of our body.
 Many fat-soluble vitamins need to be associated with fats to be effectively absorbed by
the body.
 They also provide insulation to the body.
 They are an efficient way to store energy for longer periods.
SOURCE:
 Nuts and seeds such as almonds, walnuts, chia seeds and flaxseeds are great sources of
healthy fats like omega-3s and monounsaturated fats. These types of unsaturated fats help
to lower bad cholesterol levels in the body while increasing good cholesterol levels.
 Healthy plant-based oils like olive oil, avocado oil or coconut oil are also rich sources
of lipids. They contain essential fatty acids. They help to reduce inflammation in the
body.
 Dairy products such as milk, cheese and butter also provide lipids but should be
consumed moderately due to their high saturated fat content. This may increase bad
cholesterol levels.
 Fatty fish like salmon or sardines is an excellent source of omega-3s. This can reduce
inflammation throughout the body. It's important to remember not all types of fish have
the same benefits so people need to pay attention to what type they consume.
Properties of Lipids
Lipids are a family of organic compounds, composed of fats and oils. These molecules yield high
energy and are responsible for different functions within the human bodyLipids are oily
or greasy nonpolar molecules, stored in the adipose tissue of the body.
1. Lipids are a heterogeneous group of compounds, mainly composed of hydrocarbon
chains.
2. Lipids are energy-rich organic molecules, which provide energy for different life
processes.
 3. Lipids are a class of compounds characterised by their solubility in nonpolar solvents and
insolubility in water.
4. Lipids are significant in biological systems as they form a mechanical barrier dividing a
cell from the external environment known as the cell membrane.

Classification of Lipids
Within these two major classes of lipids, there are numerous specific types of lipids, which are
important to life, including fatty acids, triglycerides, glycerophospholipids, sphingolipids and
steroids. These are broadly classified as simple lipids and complex lipids.
Simple Lipids
Esters of fatty acids with various alcohols.
1. Fats: Esters of fatty acids with glycerol. Oils are fats in the liquid state
2. Waxes: Esters of fatty acids with higher molecular weight monohydric alcohols
Complex Lipids
Esters of fatty acids containing groups in addition to alcohol and fatty acid.
1. Phospholipids: These are lipids containing, in addition to fatty acids and alcohol,
phosphate group. They frequently have nitrogen-containing bases and other substituents,
eg, in glycerophospholipids the alcohol is glycerol and in sphingophospholipids the
alcohol is sphingosine.
2. Glycolipids (glycosphingolipids): Lipids containing a fatty acid, sphingosine and
carbohydrate.
3. Other complex lipids: Lipids such as sulfolipids and amino lipids. Lipoproteins may
also be placed in this category.
Precursor and Derived Lipids
These include fatty acids, glycerol, steroids, other alcohols, fatty aldehydes, and ketone bodies,
hydrocarbons, lipid-soluble vitamins, and hormones. Because they are uncharged, acylglycerols
(glycerides), cholesterol, and cholesteryl esters are termed neutral lipids. These compounds are
produced by the hydrolysis of simple and complex lipids.
Some of the different types of lipids are described below in detail.
Fatty Acids
Fatty acids are carboxylic acids (or organic acid), usually with long aliphatic tails (long chains),
either unsaturated or saturated.
 Saturated fatty acids
Lack of carbon-carbon double bonds indicate that the fatty acid is saturated. The saturated fatty
acids have higher melting points compared to unsaturated acids of the corresponding size due to
their ability to pack their molecules together thus leading to a straight rod-like shape.
 Unsaturated fatty acids
Unsaturated fatty acid is indicated when a fatty acid has more than one double bond.
“Often, naturally occurring fatty acids possesses an even number of carbon atoms and are
unbranched.”
On the other hand, unsaturated fatty acids contain a cis-double bond(s) which create a structural
kink that disables them to group their molecules in straight rod-like shape.
The name phospholipid is derived from the fact that phosphoacylglycerols are lipids containing a
phosphate group.
Essential Fatty Acids and their Importance:
Essential fatty acids are the type of fatty acids which cannot be synthesized by the body. That
means; we need to include essential fatty acids in our diet. The two essential fatty acids in the
human body are linoleic acid (LA) and α-linoleic acid (ALA). .
The two types of essential fatty acids are linoleic acid and α-linoleic acid while some
nonessential fatty acids include arachidic acid, stearic acid, palmitic acid, etc.

 Essential fatty acids are the fatty acids that cannot be synthesized by the body. The two
types of essential fatty acids are linoleic acid and α-linoleic acid. They have to be
included in the diet. On the other hand, our body can produce nonessential fatty acids
through metabolic reactions. These fatty acids are either saturated or unsaturated fats.
Therefore, the main difference between essential and nonessential fatty acids is the ability
of the body to synthesize them.
 Once transported into cells, essential fatty acids serve numerous functions.
They influence membrane fluidity and may be involved in the regulation of neuronal
firing. They are also transformed into many other molecules, including eicosanoids and
lipoxins that are involved in anti-inflammatory effects.

Blood Lipids and their implications:

Triglycerides:
Triglycerides belong to a structurally-diverse class of macromolecules that includes some of the
most important biochemicals in the human body.
Triglycerides are:
 lipids and they should be thought of as the molecules the body uses as a backup source of
energy;
 a large part of the typical American diet and are ingested in the foods that we eat; and
  used for the physical protection of vital organs like the kidneys and the liver.
When the amount triglycerides exceeds what the body needs, triglycerides are stored in adipose
tissue, in the liver, and can be found circulating in blood plasma.High plasma levels of
triglycerides are associated with serious human diseases like cardiovascular disease, diabetes and
obesity.

Lipoprotein:
Lipoproteins are round particles made of fat (lipids) and proteins that travel in your bloodstream
to cells throughout your body. Cholesterol and triglycerides are two types of lipids found in
lipoproteins.
Your body makes different types of lipoproteins. High levels of certain lipoproteins can be
harmful to your heart. But some lipoproteins have heart-protective benefits.
There are five main types of lipoproteins:
 High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is the “good cholesterol.” It carries cholesterol back to
your liver to be flushed out of your body. High levels of HDL reduce your risk of
cardiovascular (heart) disease.
 Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is the “bad cholesterol.” It increases your risk of coronary
artery disease, heart attacks and stroke. LDL carries cholesterol that accumulates as
plaque inside blood vessels. Plaque buildup can make blood vessels too narrow for blood
to flow freely. This condition is atherosclerosis.
 Very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) are another type of “bad cholesterol.” VLDLs
carry triglycerides — and to a lesser degree, cholesterol — to your tissues.
 Intermediate-density lipoproteins (IDL) are created when VLDLs give up their fatty
acids. They’re then either removed by your liver or converted into LDL.
 Chylomicrons are very large particles that also transport triglycerides.
Cholesterol and its importance :
 Cholesterol is a wax-like substance, found only in animal source foods. Triglycerides,
LDL, HDL, VLDL are different types of cholesterol found in the blood cells.
 Cholesterol is an important lipid found in the cell membrane. It is a sterol, which means
that cholesterol is a combination of steroid and alcohol. In the human body, cholesterol is
synthesized in the liver.
 These compounds are biosynthesized by all living cells and are essential for the structural
component of the cell membrane.
 In the cell membrane, the steroid ring structure of cholesterol provides a rigid
hydrophobic structure that helps boost the rigidity of the cell membrane. Without
cholesterol, the cell membrane would be too fluid.
 It is an important component of cell membranes and is also the basis for the synthesis of
other steroids, including the sex hormones estradiol and testosterone, as well as other
steroids such as cortisone and vitamin D.