74 Unit 2 Nutrition and Food Choices Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. type of fat is found in many processed foods, such as packaged cookies, chips, doughnuts, and crackers. You may see trans fats listed as partially hydrogenated oils on ingredient lists. Some trans fats occur naturally and are found in food from animals, such as cows and goats. Cholesterol Cholesterol is a waxy, fatlike substance that is found in foods from animal sources, but is also produced by the body. Too much cholesterol can cause health problems. Fats: Positives and Negatives Your body stores excess dietary fats present in the foods you eat as body fat. Despite the negative publicity that body fat gets, it is important to your body’s health. Body fat • supplies energy to the body when food is unavailable • acts as a cushion to protect internal organs and • provides a layer of insulation to help regulate body temperature so you don’t get too hot or too cold. Likewise, the dietary fats you consume play an important role in the absorption and transport of certain types of vitamins through the blood- stream. These fats also help absorb and transport other nutrients during digestion. As a bonus, dietary fats enhance the flavor and texture of foods. fl Eating unsaturated fats may reduce the risk of heart disease. Although fats are important for the body to function, some fats may be better for you than others. Saturated fats tend to be associated with el- evated levels of cholesterol in the blood. Diets that are high in this type of fat may cause many long-term health problems, including cardiovascular disease, stroke, some types of cancer, and diabetes. Recent studies suggest, however, that highly refi carbohydrates may have a greater effect on fined heart disease than saturated fat. Some scientists believe trans fats pose worse health risks than saturated fats. Many cities and states have required restaurants to limit their use of trans fats. In 2015, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) declared that trans fats were not “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS). The FDA gave food companies a period of three years to remove artificial trans fi fats from their food products. Vitamins Vitamins are organic substances, meaning they are derived from plants or animals and contain carbon. Like other nutrients, vitamins are necessary for normal growth and development. They help regulate various body pro- cesses, such as blood clotting, immune system functions, and the mainte- nance of healthy skin. They also help the body release the energy found in proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. Different vitamins have distinct func- tions in the body (Figure 3.6). Oils and nuts both contain unsaturated fats. Figure 3.5 vitamins organic substances derived from plants or animals, which are necessary for normal growth and development