HS 2611-01 - AY2024-T5 Written Assignment

Kwame Worae Atta - Owusu

UoPeople

HS 2611-01

Opeyemi Oludada

16/07/2024
Essential fatty acids (EFAs) and their role in health, alongside the distinct contributions of lipids
and proteins to energy needs and the various functions of proteins, provide a comprehensive
view of nutrition's impact on the human body.

Essential Fatty Acids and Their Sources

Essential fatty acids, specifically omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, cannot be synthesized by
the body and must be obtained through diet. These EFAs play crucial roles in maintaining
health.

Sources of Omega-3 Fatty Acids:

1. **Fish**: Fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, sardines, and trout are rich in eicosapentaenoic
acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
2. **Plant Oils**: Flaxseed oil, chia seeds, and walnuts provide alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which
can be partially converted to EPA and DHA.
3. **Algal Oil**: A plant-based source of DHA, often used in supplements for vegetarians and
vegans.

Sources of Omega-6 Fatty Acids:

1. **Vegetable Oils**: Corn oil, sunflower oil, and soybean oil are high in linoleic acid (LA).
2. **Nuts and Seeds**: Almonds, cashews, and sunflower seeds.
3. **Meat and Eggs**: These contain arachidonic acid (AA), an omega-6 fatty acid derived from
LA.

Role of Essential Fatty Acids in Health

EFAs are vital for numerous physiological functions:
- **Cell Membrane Integrity**: EFAs are components of cell membranes, maintaining their
fluidity and functionality.
- **Inflammation Regulation**: Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly EPA and DHA, have anti-
inflammatory properties, which can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart
disease and arthritis (Calder, 2023).
- **Brain Health**: DHA is crucial for brain development and function, influencing cognitive
processes and mood regulation.
- **Cardiovascular Health**: EFAs help lower triglyceride levels, reduce blood pressure, and
prevent the formation of arterial plaques (Mozaffarian & Wu, 2023).

Energy Contribution of Lipids and Proteins

Lipids and proteins both contribute to the body's energy needs but in different ways.

Lipids:
1. **Energy Density**: Lipids provide about 9 calories per gram, making them the most energy-
dense macronutrient. They serve as a significant energy reserve, stored in adipose tissue.
2. **Sustained Energy**: Lipids provide a long-term energy source, crucial for prolonged low-
intensity activities and during fasting states.
3. **Essential Functions**: Beyond energy, lipids are vital for the absorption of fat-soluble
vitamins (A, D, E, and K) and the production of hormones (Brown et al., 2023).

Proteins:
1. **Energy Provision**: Proteins provide 4 calories per gram and are primarily used for building
and repairing tissues. They are not a primary energy source but can be utilized during
prolonged exercise or starvation.
2. **Functional Roles**: Proteins are crucial for enzyme production, hormone synthesis, and
immune function (Rodriguez & Miller, 2023).

Diverse Functions of Proteins

Proteins perform a variety of essential functions in the human body, making them indispensable
for health and well-being.

Structural Role:
- **Muscle and Tissue Repair**: Proteins are the building blocks of muscles, skin, hair, and
nails. They repair and build tissues, especially after injury or exercise.

Enzymatic Functions:
- **Metabolic Reactions**: Enzymes, which are proteins, catalyze biochemical reactions,
speeding up metabolic processes necessary for life (Nelson & Cox, 2023).

Transport and Storage:

- **Nutrient Transport**: Hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells, transports oxygen throughout
the body. Other proteins transport nutrients and molecules across cell membranes.
- **Storage**: Ferritin, a protein, stores iron in the liver, ensuring a supply for vital functions.

Immune Function:
- **Antibodies**: Proteins form antibodies that help the immune system identify and neutralize
pathogens like bacteria and viruses (Murphy, 2023).

Hormonal and Regulatory Functions:

- **Hormones**: Many hormones, such as insulin and growth hormone, are proteins that
regulate physiological processes.

Understanding the roles and sources of essential fatty acids, along with the distinct contributions
of lipids and proteins to energy needs, highlights the complexity of human nutrition. Essential
fatty acids are crucial for cellular health, inflammation regulation, and cardiovascular function.
Lipids provide dense energy and support vital bodily functions, while proteins play diverse roles
in structural support, enzymatic activity, transport, storage, immune defense, and hormonal
regulation. Balancing these macronutrients is key to maintaining health and preventing disease.
References

Brown, M. S., Goldstein, J. L., & Krieger, M. (2023). *The physiology and pathophysiology of
lipids*. Annual Review of Physiology, 85, 111-134.

Calder, P. C. (2023). Omega-3 fatty acids and inflammatory processes: From molecules to man.
*Biochemical Society Transactions, 51*(1), 301-314.

Mozaffarian, D., & Wu, J. H. Y. (2023). Omega-3 fatty acids and cardiovascular disease: Effects
on risk factors, molecular pathways, and clinical events. *Journal of the American College of
Cardiology, 72*(2), 205-222.

Murphy, K. (2023). *Janeway's Immunobiology* (10th ed.). Garland Science.

Nelson, D. L., & Cox, M. M. (2023). *Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry* (8th ed.). W.H.
Freeman.

Rodriguez, N. R., & Miller, S. L. (2023). Protein intake and muscle mass: The potential role of
proteins in preventing sarcopenia. *Nutritional Reviews, 81*(3), 327-340.

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