Unsaturated Fatty Acids

Unsaturated fatty acids contain carbon chains with one or more double bonds. These double or triple bonds create kinks or bend in the carbon chain, reducing the number of hydrogen atoms attached to the carbon atoms. Unsaturated fatty acids have one or more double bonds in their carbon chain, which introduces kinks or bends in the molecule. This prevents the molecules from packing closely together, resulting in a liquid form at room temperature. Hydrocarbon chain with one or more double bonds (C=C).  The following examples of unsaturated fats include plant and vegetable oil, avocado, sunflower oil, and fish oil.

Functions

Unsaturated fats are essential for maintaining optimal health. They also play an important source of energy in the human diet. The useful fatty acids including omega-3 and omega-6 may be found in large amounts of unsaturated fats. They are essential to brain function, the cell’s membrane integrity, and inflammatory management. Unsaturated fat, if consumed can lead to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and gets improved overall heart health.

Difference Between Saturated and Unsaturated Fatty Acids: Saturated and unsaturated are two types of fatty acids mainly known. These are organic compounds that play an important role in the body’s function and are available in our daily diet. Saturated and Unsaturated fatty acids are divided based on the presence or absence of double bonds between carbon atoms in their carbon chain and chemical structure. Saturated fatty acids have straight carbon chains with no double bonds, which are solid at room temperature, and have a higher melting point. Unsaturated fatty acids have one or more double bonds, bend or twist the carbon chain. These are liquid at normal temperatures and are required for a variety of biological processes. It is important to maintain good health for the human body by using a balance of saturated and unsaturated fats.