Monounsaturated fats: The Mediterranean culture consumes approximately 40% of their calories from monounsaturated fat, hardly low-fat by our American standards. However, studies have shown that the Mediterranean diet increases life expectancy and reduces incidence of disease.
Omega-3: When you are deficient in Omega-3′s you are at risk for numerous afflictions such as cancer, heart disease, autoimmune disorder, allergies, aging, asthma, depression, cystic fibrous, stroke, rheumatoid arthritis, and obesity. Guess what? A recent study found that 99% of us are currently deficient in this essential fat. The term ‘essential’ means that we do not produce it in our body therefore we must consume it in our diet.
Saturated fat: Not all saturated fats are the same, and some are beneficial for your health. There are different forms of saturated fat. For example, lauric acid contains MCT (medium chain triglyceride) fats which are easily digested and burned immediately by your liver for energy. In addition, lauric acid has anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties.
What types of fats do I need to avoid?
Hydrogenated oils: These oils are genetically modified and contribute to the imbalance of you omega-6:omega-3 ratio. When we accumulate too many omega-6s (which dominate the standard American diet) we cancel out the benefits of omega 3s.
Trans Fat: This fat needs to be avoided all together because it raises you “bad” cholesterol and lowers your “good” cholesterol. Don’t be deceived by these products that are labeled trans-fat free because under the labeling laws if it contains less than a half a gram you can call if trans-fat free.
Saturated Fat: While some types of saturated fat have benefits, there are other types that need to be avoided because they can be detrimental to your health.
Fat is necessary for many vital functions in the body. When you are making choices you need to remember the quality is what counts.
