How are fats digested in our body ? and where does the process takes p...
How are fats digested in our body?
Fats are an essential macronutrient that needs to be broken down in order to be absorbed and utilized by the body. The process of fat digestion begins in the mouth and continues in the stomach and small intestine.
1. Mouth:
In the mouth, fats are broken down by lingual lipase, an enzyme produced by the salivary glands. However, the majority of fat digestion occurs in the small intestine.
2. Stomach:
In the stomach, gastric lipase further breaks down fats into smaller molecules. However, the acidic environment of the stomach is not ideal for fat digestion, so the process is minimal.
3. Small Intestine:
Once the partially digested food enters the small intestine, the pancreas releases pancreatic lipase, which is the primary enzyme responsible for breaking down fats into fatty acids and glycerol. Bile produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder helps emulsify fats, making it easier for pancreatic lipase to break them down.
4. Absorption:
The end products of fat digestion, fatty acids, and glycerol, are then absorbed by the small intestine and transported to the bloodstream. From there, they are used by the body for energy, cell growth, and various other functions.
5. Where does the process take place?
The process of fat digestion primarily takes place in the small intestine, with some minimal digestion occurring in the mouth and stomach. The small intestine is where the majority of fat digestion and absorption occur, thanks to the action of pancreatic lipase and bile.
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