Fat digestion and cholesterol calories

#1

I wondered whether the digestive tract is engaged when only dietary fats are consumed so i googled it, and found this article. Https://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/know-your-fats/digestion-and-absorption-of-food-fats/

One statement in the article I found enlightening, though not an answer to my question, was:

“Fat digestion of cholesterol and other sterols is frequently not described accurately. Both cholesterol and other sterols do not provide any calories, and the amount that is absorbed is relatively small except in infants. Adults probably absorb only about 25 percent of the cholesterol they consume, and even less of the other sterols. Cholesterol plays a role in membrane structure as well as for production of bile acids and hormones. Other sterols are not usually part of the body’s tissues unless they are consumed in large amounts.”

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #2

Sorry, but I’m not clear what your question is. Perhaps you could elaborate a bit on what you mean by the digestive tract’s being “engaged”? Forgive me, but I’m just not getting it, for some reason.

#3

@PaulL. I could have worded my OP more clearly. I hope this explains it better. I’ve read here and there that while fasting the digestive tract takes a rest so to speak. That got me wondering whether doing a fat fast prevents the digestive tract from resting. So I did a search to find out if eating fat engages (activates, stimulates) the digestive tract. Anyway, the article I linked to suggests that dietary fat does stimulate digestion. I was surprised to also learn in the article that we only absorb 25% of the calories in cholesterol and other sterols.

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #4

Oh that’s what you meant! It doesn’t help, either, that I’m a little slow on the uptake today.

Yeah, I imagine that the digestive system pretty much has to react to anything that goes into it, even if it’s just water. Too bad we can’t tell it that we’re fasting and it should go back to sleep, lol!