Fat Digestion Process

Lingual lipase plays a minor role in fat digestion in adults but an active role in infants.

Most of the fat digestion occurs in the stomach.

Cholecystokinin (CKK) hormone signals the pancreas to release bile.

Bile acid is attracted to water at the sterol end and to fat at the amino acid end.

Fats are fully digested by both lipase enzyme from the small intestine and the liver.

Enzymes digesting fats are hydrophilic while fats are hydrophobic.

Pancreatic lipase is the only fat digesting enzyme in the small intestine.

Phospholipids are digested in the small intestine through hydrolysis.

Sterols are absorbed in the small intestine without any changes.

Digested triglycerides with glycerol and short chain fatty acids can diffuse directly into the blood stream through intestinal cells.

Chylomicrons transport lipids from the blood vessels to the intestinal cells.

High-density lipoproteins (HDL) are characterized by having a large size and low density.