Heart disease ranks as the leading cause of death in the United States, and many health professionals consider fats and cholesterol potential risk factors associated with the cause of heart disease. Yet, both dietary fats and cholesterol are natural components of the body and have very important functions for your good health. References Calorie, Fat, And Cholesterol Content Table I. Fats Fats are vital to the normal functioning of the body. They provide an essential fatty acid, linoleic acid, which is needed for growth. K. During digestion, fat must be present so these vitamins can be absorbed and used in the body.
Fats also are very important energy sources.
They provide 9 calories for each gram of fat. This is at least twice as many calories as you get from either carbohydrates or proteins. Much of the flavor of foods is provided by fats. The body digests fats slowly, and they stay in the stomach longer to keep you from feeling hungry, providing satiety, or a feeling of fullness. The body makes some fatty acids.