Fats: All About How They Affect Your Health and Diet
By Sherl Wilsher
Good fats, vs bad fats. Saturated fats vs. unsaturated fats. Have
you ever wondered about which is which? Anyone even remotely trying to
eat healthy these days has some task of trying to decipher the terms and
jargon related to our intake of them, their sources, what to avoid and
what to eat for health. It's enough to leave you flabbergasted. The
important question are: how good or important are fatty acids to your
health? What ones are bad? How do you identify one from the other?
Let's take some time to examine some of the facts related to fats and their fatty acids.
What are fats?
Fats are organic compounds composed of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. They are a source of energy for those who consume them. They also provide a whopping 9 calories per gram (as opposed to protein and carbohydrates which provide only 4 calories per gram).
All fats are combinations of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids and are essential for proper functioning of the body. Fats provide essential fatty acids which aren't produced by the body itself such as omegas 3 and 6.
The essential fatty acids found in omegas 3 and 6, are delivered to the body through linolenic, linoleic and oleic acid. They have many important functions such as controlling blood clotting and brain development as well as for reduction of inflammation.
What are the different types of fats?
There are four types of fats:
Saturated fats which are the biggest contributor to LDL (bad cholesterol). The "good cholesterol" HDL helps sweep the bad to the liver where it can be broken down and swept from the body. Theses fats are usually solid at room temperature.
Examples are: butter, cheese, milk, ice cream and fatty meats.
Unsaturated fats lower cholesterol when used in place of saturated fats. But, they still have quite a few calories so, it is best to limit the use of them.
Mono unsaturated fat - examples are olive oil, canola oil.
Polyunsaturated - fish, safflower, sunflower, corn and soybean oil.
Trans Fatty Acids can increase the LDL(bad cholesterol) and decrease the HDL (good cholesterol).
Examples are: donuts, french fries, cookies, crackers and margarine.
Partially hydrogenated (partly hard oils) example: margarine.
In summary
Be careful of the quantities and types of oil consumed for better health. Remember that fatty acids are essential to good health and functioning of the body. Omegas 3, 6 and 9 are important in the functioning of the immune system, cardiovascular and nervous systems. Some examples of sources of "good fats" are: brazil nuts, walnuts, flaxseed oil, some dark green leafy vegetables and fish oils.
As always, continue to read the labels to make informed decisions about foods for you and your family.
Sherl Wilsher is a nurse who is dedicated to writing about
natural health and beauty topics. As the numbers of folks is growing who
are tired of the adverse effects of chemicals, preservatives and drugs
on health, these individuals are looking for sources of reliable
information in educating themselves on important health topics.Let's take some time to examine some of the facts related to fats and their fatty acids.
What are fats?
Fats are organic compounds composed of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. They are a source of energy for those who consume them. They also provide a whopping 9 calories per gram (as opposed to protein and carbohydrates which provide only 4 calories per gram).
All fats are combinations of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids and are essential for proper functioning of the body. Fats provide essential fatty acids which aren't produced by the body itself such as omegas 3 and 6.
The essential fatty acids found in omegas 3 and 6, are delivered to the body through linolenic, linoleic and oleic acid. They have many important functions such as controlling blood clotting and brain development as well as for reduction of inflammation.
What are the different types of fats?
There are four types of fats:
Saturated fats which are the biggest contributor to LDL (bad cholesterol). The "good cholesterol" HDL helps sweep the bad to the liver where it can be broken down and swept from the body. Theses fats are usually solid at room temperature.
Examples are: butter, cheese, milk, ice cream and fatty meats.
Unsaturated fats lower cholesterol when used in place of saturated fats. But, they still have quite a few calories so, it is best to limit the use of them.
Mono unsaturated fat - examples are olive oil, canola oil.
Polyunsaturated - fish, safflower, sunflower, corn and soybean oil.
Trans Fatty Acids can increase the LDL(bad cholesterol) and decrease the HDL (good cholesterol).
Examples are: donuts, french fries, cookies, crackers and margarine.
Partially hydrogenated (partly hard oils) example: margarine.
In summary
Be careful of the quantities and types of oil consumed for better health. Remember that fatty acids are essential to good health and functioning of the body. Omegas 3, 6 and 9 are important in the functioning of the immune system, cardiovascular and nervous systems. Some examples of sources of "good fats" are: brazil nuts, walnuts, flaxseed oil, some dark green leafy vegetables and fish oils.
As always, continue to read the labels to make informed decisions about foods for you and your family.
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