NANP Board Domain I – Food and Nutrition Practice Exam

Consuming foods high in saturated fats and arachidonic acid most directly affects the heart because these fats influence cardiovascular health. Saturated fats can raise LDL cholesterol and promote atherosclerotic plaque buildup in the coronary arteries, reducing blood flow to the heart. Arachidonic acid can fuel inflammatory mediators that contribute to vascular inflammation, adding stress to the heart. When the heart has to work harder or receives less blood, energy and overall well‑being can diminish, which might be described as a lack of joy. While the liver, kidneys, and gallbladder handle fat metabolism and digestion, the heart is the organ whose function most closely ties to energy and mood in this context.