You glycerides are part of one of the four groups of lipids and consist of molecules of glycerol (Ç3H8O3) joined to one, two or three molecules of fatty acids. When glycerides are linked to three molecules of fatty acids, are known as triglycerides or triglycerides. Inside cells we will always find molecules of fatty acids joined to molecules of glycerol, forming the glycerides, which can be found in foods such as milk, cheese, eggs, animal fats and vegetable oils.
If all the carbons in a fatty acid chain come together through single bonds, we say it's a chain. saturated, as the palmitic acid chain. Therefore, this glyceride will be a saturated fat, which is solid at room temperature and found mainly in animal products such as red and white meat, milk and dairy products. The oils found in coconut and cocoa are saturated fat. However, if fatty acid molecules have double bonds between one or more pairs of carbons in the chain, we say that it is a chain. unsaturated; it's the glyceride will be a
unsaturated fat, which is liquid at room temperature and found primarily in vegetables such as olive oil, Brazil nuts, flaxseed, almond, sunflower, trout and salmon.
Figure illustrating the saturated chain, with single bonds; and the unsaturated chain, with double bonds
Living organisms use the glycerides as a power reserve. In vegetables we can see this in some seeds, such as soybeans, sunflowers, corn and canola, which store large amounts of oil if they need extra energy. Man uses this oil taken from these seeds to produce cooking oil.
Birds and mammals, including man, also use this fat as an energy reserve and as a thermal insulator, keeping the temperature of the body constant, and this fat is stored in adipose cells, which are concentrated around the organs and below the skin.
Excessive consumption of saturated fat makes the level of triglycerides in the blood rises, which can lead to the onset of arteriosclerosis (a disease in which there is deposition of fat on the walls of vessels and arteries), infarction, stroke (cerebrovascular accident), pancreatitis and hepatosplenomegaly (enlarged liver and spleen). If, associated with the high concentration of triglycerides in the blood, there is also cholesterol, the chances of chronic diseases increase considerably.
Contrary to what many people think, it is not just the excessive consumption of saturated fat which leads to an increase in the concentration of triglycerides in the blood. Excessive consumption of carbohydrates also favors the increase in the level of triglycerides, because excess blood glucose is converted into fatty acids and triglycerides. For this reason, the high concentration of triglycerides in the blood can be caused by other disorders such as diabetes. When the blood triglyceride level is below 150mg/dL, it can be considered normal.
Have one balanced diet, with ideal consumption of fats and oils, is very important, because our body needs these lipids to absorb fat-soluble proteins (vitamins A, D, E, K), which only dissolve in lipids. Also, some essential oils, available in marine fish (cod liver oil) and in various vegetable oils, are very important in the construction of cell membranes and in the synthesis of prostaglandins, which regulate various organic processes, such as contractions. muscle.
By Paula Louredo
Graduated in Biology
Source: Brazil School - https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/saude-na-escola/glicerideos.htm