FATS ARE NOT ALL EQUAL!

Overview

Fats: Arthrosclerosis, the blocking of arteries, we largely blame on a diet for this, that is high in fat. Thus doctors advice people to avoid fatty foods, so as to prevent heart disease and obesity.

Further Reading

   ·      Food Pyramid

    ·       Detoxification Through Foods

    ·       Organic Vitamins

    ·       Healthy Diet Foods

This simplistic stance has been supported by the "Food Pyramid", which advocates replacing fat with extra carbohydrates. However, a high carbohydrate diet, particularly if comprising mainly of high glycaemic index components, can lead to insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus. It also fails to address the fact that:

"Some Fats Do Have Proven Health Benefits"

Types of Fats

Saturated Fats

The type of fat that causes an increase in LDL cholesterol and arthrosclerosis is saturated fat. Some saturated ones are worse than others. This type found in dairy products like butter and whole milk has the strongest effect on LDL. Beef fat has less impact on LDL, and from chocolate and cocoa butter the least!

Trans Fats

Trans or hydrogenated fats are commonly present in commercial foods. These substances result in a depression of the good HDL cholesterol, whilst simultaneously raising the levels of the bad LDL cholesterol, triglycerides and lipoprotein A. Heart disease normally links with all these. In addition, this type increases platelet "stickiness", potentially contributing to the incidence to heart attacks and strokes.

Monounsaturated & Polyunsaturated Fats | Healthy Ones

The good news is that monounsaturated like olive oil and polyunsaturated fats like soybean oil have many health benefits. People who consume more unsaturated versus saturated, have significantly lower risks of heart attack and death from heart disease.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

One class of polyunsaturated fatty acids is the Omega-3 fatty acids. These fatty acids are essential for good health. The basic molecule can't be manufactured by the body, so an adequate intake is essential. They are necessary to maintain normal physiology, particularly in the prevention of heart disease. Fish oils are a rich source of dietary Omega-3 fatty acids.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we should choose monounsaturated and polyunsaturated oils wherever possible. We should carefully examine food labels for evidence of Tran’s fats. This will show as “partially hydrogenated or hydrogenated oil or shortening.