Types of Fats and Role of Essential Fatty Acids

11 Jan

Posted by admin as Fats

Although all of these are many reasons for why our body needs fats, some of them are listed below:

* Fat provides a ready source of energy.

* It is proven to improve children’s growth.

* It supports the cell walls within the body.

* Fat enables the body to circulate, store, and absorb the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K.

* It supplies essential fatty acids that the body can’t make and must therefore get from other foods.

* Helps promote healthy skin and hair.

The main types of fats are monounsaturated (good), polyunsaturated (good), saturated (bad), and trans-fatty acids (really bad).

Monounsaturated Fats:

Have you or someone around you ever gasp at the thought of eating an avocado? “They’re so high in fat!” That is what many people say, and yes avocados are high in fat, and not too long ago, avocados were on the ‘do not eat’ list. However, times have changed, science has changed. Avocados may be high in fat, but it is the good fat…Monounsaturated fat.

These fats are proven to lower blood cholesterol. So now you know the truth about avocados. It is my number one pet peeve when someone picks on me for eating my avocado sandwich. So, if someone tries to do it to you, explain to them about monounsaturated fats and that your body needs these fats. Not only do avocadoes carry monounsaturated fat, but also olive oils, peanut oils, sesame seed oils and canola oils.

Polyunsaturated fats:

Polyunsaturated fat is another type of unsaturated fat. Along with monounsaturated fat, these two are known as the ‘healthy fats’. Polyunsaturated fat can be found mostly in grain products, fish and sea food (herring, salmon, mackerel, and halibut), soybeans, fish oils, sunflower oils, safflower oils, soft margarine, and mayonnaise.

Polyunsaturated fat is necessary for the body and protects against illness and even reduces the risk of heart disease. This is due to the fact the Omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil, fish and seafood lower the total amount of fat in the blood, which in that case lowers blood pressure and decreases the risk of getting cardiovascular diseases. Also in the sunflower oil and safflower oil, they contain the Omega-6 fatty acids which also reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, however may contribute to allergies and inflammation. So by all means, eat lots of fish to stay healthy.

Saturated Fats:

Saturated fats are the demons of all fats because they can raise your blood cholesterol, which then can lead to heart disease. Animal fats found in meat, poultry, and whole milk dairy products are all high in saturated fats. Also saturated fat will be found in coconut, palm, and palm kernel oils; which are found in cookies, crackers, nondairy creamers, and other baked products. Saturated fats help to stimulate the production of LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol), which in turn increases blood cholesterol levels, and the risk of heart-disease. Do yourself a favor and try to cut back on the consumption of saturated fats. Doing this will help your from heart disease, certain cancers, and other potential health problems in the future.

Trans-fatty Acids:

This type of fat is not naturally occurring, but is actually created when innocent unsaturated fats undergo a manufacturing process called hydrogenation. This is when a liquid of semi-soft fat is transformed into a more solid state. Trans-fatty acids act as saturated fats inside the body and raise blood cholesterol, this makes them very harmful. So you ask “why mess with a good fat?” Well, because the process can help preserve food or even enable a food company to change the texture of a product.

Other helpful information on web:

1. Vitamin A Deficiency
2. Flaxseed Oil Benefits

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