FATTY ACID Definition & Meaning

fatty acid

noun

Biochemistry.

any of a class of aliphatic acids, especially palmitic, stearic, or oleic acid, consisting of a long hydrocarbon chain ending in a carboxyl group that bonds to glycerol to form a fat.

fatty acid

noun

any of a class of aliphatic carboxylic acids, such as palmitic acid, stearic acid, and oleic acid, that form part of a lipid molecule
another name for carboxylic acid, used esp of a naturally occurring one

fatty acid

/ ��ă��′ŧ /

Any of a large group of organic acids, especially those found in animal and vegetable fats and oils. Fatty acids are mainly composed of long chains of hydrocarbons ending in a carboxyl group. A fatty acid is saturated when the bonds between carbon atoms are all single bonds. It is unsaturated when any of these bonds is a double bond.

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of fatty acid¹

First recorded in 1860–65

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Their main argument is that seed oils are high in omega-six fatty acids, which aren’t detrimental to human health but can lead to inflammation when consumed in excess.

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Shea butter is rich in fatty acids, vitamins and antioxidants to help boost skin moisture.

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In particular, not getting enough of three essential nutrients — vitamin D, vitamin B12 and omega-3 fatty acids — is linked to low energy levels.

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It produces chemicals called short-chain fatty acids by breaking down a variety of fibers in our diet.

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The study says calcium may protect against bowel cancer "because it is able to bind to bile acids and free fatty acids in the colon, lowering their potentially carcinogenic effects".

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