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Palmitic Acid

Meaning

Palmitic Acid is a saturated long-chain fatty acid, systematically designated as C16:0, which is the most common saturated fatty acid found in both animals and plants, making it a significant component of the human diet and endogenous fat stores. In human physiology, it serves a dual role: it is a fundamental building block for structural lipids, such as cell membranes, and it is a major substrate for energy production via beta-oxidation. However, excessive levels of circulating palmitic acid are clinically implicated in lipotoxicity, potentially contributing to insulin resistance and the inflammatory cascade in non-adipose tissues.