What Does the Body Use Lipids For?

Lipids are one of the three macronutrients in your diet, along with proteins and carbohydrates, that help fuel your body and keep it functioning properly. The term "lipids" refers to fat-soluble compounds found in plants and animals. Your body uses these substances for a variety of functions, such as energy storage, absorbing fat-soluble...

Lipids are fats. In the body they take the form of phospholipids, cholesterol and fatty acids. Although fats play a role in obesity and disease, your body needs a certain amount of fat to function -- also known as essential body fat. Men need at least 3 percent body fat and women need at least 12 percent body fat to ensure normal functioning. You...

The human body uses lipids for a variety of applications, including as a fuel source, to construct membranes and to protect and insulate the body. While ingesting too many lipids can cause health...

Despite their bad reputation, lipids -- fats and fatlike substances -- play a crucial role in your health. The problem is that many Americans eat too much fat and too much of the wrong kinds of fat, which leads to problems like high triglycerides, elevated cholesterol and weight gain. You should limit your intake of fat to 20 to 35 percent of your...