What happens to excess fatty acids and glycerol in the body?

Pancreatic lipase removes fatty acids from the 1 and 3 positions to generate free fatty acids and a TG remnant with one fatty acid in the 2-position, a monoglyceride (2-acylglycerol). Monoglycerides may be further broken down by the enzyme phospholipase A2 into free fatty acids and glycerol. read more

Fat is broken down to fatty acids to be used for ATP synthesis, while glycerol and amino acids are used to maintain blood glucose levels. A lack of sufficient glucose in the blood can lead to excess breakdown of fat and the synthesis of ketone bodies, which can be used by the brain and muscles for energy. read more

However, the researchers said excess amounts of omega-3 fatty acids can alter immune function sometimes in ways that may lead to a dysfunctional immune response to a viral or bacterial infection. "The dysfunctional immune response to excessive omega-3 fatty acid consumption can affect the body's ability to fight microbial pathogens, like bacteria," Hord said. read more

Single amino acids join to form larger proteins. Excess glucose molecules combine in a branched chain structure to form glycogen for storage in the liver and muscles. Excess fatty acids attach to glycerol molecules and are stored as triglycerides in adipocytes. read more