fat

• to provide energy
• to build up fat reserves as an energy reserve and to protect organs from damage.
• to carry fat soluble vitamins A, D, E, K. We differentiate between saturated fatty acids (animal origin) and unsaturated fatty acids (plant origin)

A high proportion of fats in the diet often leads to excess energy intake resulting in overweight and disease e.g. diabetes, coronary disease. Fat intake should be moderate with a healthy ratio of saturated and unsaturated fats .