Abstract
Changes in physical function due to different triacylglycerol structures have been studied but their effects on a living body are little understood. The digestion, absorption and nutritional functions of structured lipids were examined in this study and the effects of triacylglycerol structure on physiological functions are discussed. The absorption of fatty acids at the 2 position of glycerol is considered greater than at 1 or 3, but this would depend on fatty acid type and combination. Differences in triacylglycerol structures also affect plasma cholesterol and accordingly should thus also influence lipid metabolism. A structured lipid with stearic and hexanoic acids was found to suppress food intake, suggesting its involvement not only in lipid absorption and metabolism but physiological functions as well.
