Description Of How Fats Are Broken Down In Our Body & Absorbed

Fat -- it's enemy No. 1 for some dieters. It is true that consuming too much fat, especially saturated fats, contributes to weight gain and chronic health problems. Yet trying to eliminate it from your diet would be both difficult and unhealthy. Your body needs fat for energy, body temperature maintenance, immune response and many other functions. Digestion and absorption of fats from your diet require the work of multiple organs.

Understanding Fats

The body is able to produce almost all of the fatty acids itself, with the two exceptions being those commonly known as omega-3 and omega-6. The majority of fats you consume in your diet, however, are triglycerides. A triglyceride is made up of three fatty acids and a molecule of glycerol. The majority of the fat stored in your body is in this form, according to Dr. Janice R. Hermann, a nutrition specialist at Oklahoma State University.

Starting Digestion

Of the macronutrients -- fat, protein and carbohydrates -- fat takes the longest for your body to digest, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Once you swallow food, it moves through the esophagus and is released into the stomach. The stomach releases juices, or acids, to help break down what you've consumed. This partially digested food then moves into the small intestine where enzymes and other juices continue the process of breaking down the food. These come from the intestines, pancreas and gallbladder.

Absorbing the Fats

Intestinal and pancreatic enzymes work to break down fats as well as carbs and protein. Fat digestion, however, requires additional assistance. The liver produces a liquid called bile that is stored in the gallbladder. This liquid is released into the small intestine during digestion. Substances in the bile dissolve the fat into smaller molecules, helping the digestive enzymes do their job. These molecules -- partially made up of cholesterol and fatty acids -- make their way to the mucosa, the inner layer of the small intestine involved in nutrient absorption. The broken down fat travels through the mucosa into the bloodstream and lymph vessels for use by the body.

Digestive Problems

Some people must make dietary changes because their digestive systems can't properly break down or absorb fats. They may have uncomfortable symptoms such as stomach cramping, abdominal bloating or diarrhea. Removal of the gallbladder affects the concentration of the bile used to break down fat, making digestion more challenging. Problems with the liver may affect the enzymes released during digestion, thereby leading to abnormal absorption. Children with cystic fibrosis also have trouble with fat absorption. Fat that isn't properly digested is transported into the large intestine, where it is later excreted.