Zsíremésztés

Zsíremésztés, also known as fat digestion, is the physiological process by which the body breaks down dietary fats into smaller molecules that can be absorbed and utilized. This process is crucial for energy production, nutrient absorption, and the synthesis of essential cell components.

The digestion of fats begins in the mouth with lingual lipase, an enzyme secreted by glands in the tongue, though its contribution in adults is minor. The primary site for fat digestion is the small intestine. Upon arrival in the duodenum, fats are emulsified by bile salts produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder. Emulsification breaks large fat globules into smaller droplets, increasing the surface area for enzymatic action.

Pancreatic lipase, secreted by the pancreas, is the main enzyme responsible for fat digestion. It hydrolyzes triglycerides, the most common type of dietary fat, into monoglycerides and free fatty acids. These smaller molecules, along with bile salts, form micelles. Micelles transport the fatty acids and monoglycerides to the brush border of the intestinal epithelial cells, where they are absorbed.

Once inside the intestinal cells, fatty acids and monoglycerides are reassembled into triglycerides. These triglycerides are then packaged with cholesterol, proteins, and phospholipids into chylomicrons. Chylomicrons are lipoproteins that are released into the lymphatic system and eventually enter the bloodstream, where they are transported to various tissues for energy or storage. Short-chain and medium-chain fatty acids can be absorbed directly into the bloodstream without re-esterification.