Fats

Fats is one of the essential elements in the diet. Fats supply energy in concentrated form. They serve to carry the fat-soluble Vitamins A and D, and they are the chief source of vitamin E, all essential to nutrition. The digestion of fat is begun in the stomach and completed in the small intestine, where it is acted upon by the enzymes in bile.

Fats may be solid, like the fat in bacon, or liquid, like oil. Fats occur in all meats, in whole milk, and in milk products such as cheese. Butter is the practically pure fat removed from milk. Fats are also found in plant seeds, which are the source of vegetable oils.

Whether a fat is solid or liquid depends on its chemical structure. "Polyunsaturated" is a chemical term describing the structure of many vegetable oils. Polyunsaturated fats in your diet lead to lower blood cholesterol levels than animal fats.