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Q:
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What is the difference between fat and cholesterol?
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A:
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Despite their tarnished reputations, appropriate amounts of fat and cholesterol are essential components for good health. Since the two are often paired together, there has been some confusion at to the function of each. Composed of the elements carbon, hydrogen and oxygen, dietary fat contains a mixture of substances called fatty acids . These fatty acids may be saturated, monounsaturated or polyunsaturated, depending on their chemical structures. Fat is naturally present in a variety of foods and is also added to many products to yield a characteristic taste and/or texture. Cholesterol on the other hand is a white, waxy, fat like substance, which is manufactured by the body and found in all foods of animal origin. It has several important functions, including the manufacture of certain hormones, Vitamin D and bile acids, which aid in the digestion and absorption of dietary fat. Foods derived from plants do not contain cholesterol.
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