What are lipoids?
Do you get puzzled when reading the term lipoids? This is not about the lipids - the fats, but about lipoids, which are assigned to the fat-like substances. These substances are vital for the human organism.
Important representatives of the lipoids
In connection with nutrition, you have probably heard of some representatives of lipoids, such as carotenoids and steroids.
- Lipoids are fat-like substances that differ slightly in chemical structure from fats, but have a similar solubility. You act as a solubilizer or Emulsifier between water- and fat-soluble substances. Because of this, lipoids are mainly used in the human body for the formation of cellular membranes.
- The fat-like substances include phosphatides - typical representatives are lecithin and cephalin. Both substances are produced by the organism itself and therefore do not have to be ingested through food. They are involved in the structure of brain and nerve cells as well as cell membranes in the body.
- Other representatives of the lipoids are carotenoids, which are only formed by plants and give them a yellow, orange or red color. Beta-carotene is best known as a coloring agent in carrots. If necessary, carotenes can be converted into vitamin A in the body - this is why they are also known as provitamin A. Carotenoids and vitamin A are not produced in the body, but must be taken in through food.
- But steroids also belong to the group of lipoids. These include steroid hormones, cholesterol and provitamin D 2, with cholesterol being the best-known substance in this group.
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Fat-like substances in food
Some lipoids are produced by your body, others you have to get from food.
- Lecithins and cephalins are found in egg yolks, grain germs and cream, but also in tuber and root vegetables. In the food industry, lecithins are mainly used as antioxidants and emulsifiers.
- Cholesterol is mainly found in dairy products, egg yolks, meat, and fish. About 300-800 mg of cholesterol are ingested with food each day, the amount depending on the individual diet. An excess of cholesterol generally leads to a decrease in self-synthesis.
- Carotenes are found in a number of vegetables - such as carrots, chicory, and peppers as well as in kale, and spinach Savoy cabbage can be found in some fruits, such as grapefruit, tangerine, and apricot Papaya.
