What you need to know about the FAT(s) in your body
When you talk about fat, it innocuously gives you bad vibes
in general and it is not a generally welcomed topic or discussion to anyone’s
liking. Some of your thinking and
concern is justified, as certain types of fat or fat like substance – Mr Cholesterol
– can play a major role in cardio vascular disease, Diabetes, Cancer and
Obesity.
To
imagine or conclude that all fats are equal and harmful to your body is a wrong
notion. Some fats are better for your body than others and may even assist you
in helping to good health. Only thing,
you should know the difference which can help you determine which FATS to avoid
and which FATS to eat in moderate
quantity.
To put it straight
and simple, the excess calories from eating too much fat of any type can lead
to weight gain.Foods and oils contain a mixture of fatty acids, but the
predominant type of fat they contain is what makes them “good” or “bad”.
What are bad fats? (To Avoid totally)
Two types of fats —
saturated fat and trans fat —
have been identified as potentially harmful to your health. Most of the foods
that contain these types of fats are solid at room temperature, such as:
- butter
- margarine
- shortening
- beef or pork fat
Saturated fat: Use them sparingly most saturated fats are animal fats. They’re found in high-fat meats and dairy products.
Saturated
fat sources include:
- fatty cuts of beef, pork, and lamb
- dark chicken meat and poultry skin
- high-fat dairy foods (whole milk, butter, cheese, sour cream, ice
cream)
- tropical oils (coconut oil, palm oil, cocoa butter)
- lard
Eating too
much saturated fat can increase blood cholesterol levels and low-density
lipoprotein (LDL) levels.
Traditionally,
doctors have linked higher saturated fat intakes with increased heart disease
risks. This idea has been called into question more recently.
A 2015 review of 15 randomized controlled trials looked at saturated fats and
heart disease. The researchers concluded that replacing saturated fat in your
diet with polyunsaturated fats can reduce your heart disease risk.
While the
risk reduction is low, these differences could make a difference to your
health.
Trans fat: Must
avoid!
Short for
“trans fatty acids,” trans fat appears in foods that contain partially
hydrogenated vegetable oils. These are the worst fats for you. You might find
trans fat in:
- fried foods (French fries, doughnuts, deep-fried fast foods)
- margarine (stick and tub)
- vegetable shortening
- baked goods (cookies, cakes, pastries)
- processed snack foods (crackers, microwave popcorn)
Like
saturated fat, trans fat can raise LDL cholesterol,
also known as “bad” cholesterol. Trans fat can also suppress high-density
lipoprotein (HDL) levels, or “good” cholesterol.
Doctors
have also linked trans fats to an increased risk for inflammation in the body.
This inflammation can cause harmful health effects that may include heart
disease, diabetes, and stroke
Some
margarines will contain trans fats if they are made with hydrogenated
ingredients, so make sure to always choose non-hydrogenated versions.
Labelling laws allow food companies to round down to
zero and claim “no trans fats” or “zero grams of trans fats” despite still
containing hydrogenated oils, so ignore the front-of-package marketing and
always read the ingredient list.
Foods with good fats
Doctors
consider monounsaturated fat and polyunsaturated fat more “heart-healthy” fats.
These are fats that are better choices for your diet.
Foods that
primarily contain these healthier fats tend to be liquid when they’re at room
temperature. An example is vegetable oil.
This type
of helpful fat is present in a variety of foods and oils. Research has
consistently shown that eating foods that contain monounsaturated fat can
improve your blood cholesterol level and decrease your risk of cardiovascular
disease. These foods include:
- nuts (almonds, cashews, peanuts, pecans)
- vegetable oils (olive oil, peanut oil)
- peanut butter and almond butter
- avocado
Polyunsaturated fat
Polyunsaturated
fats are known as “essential fats” because the body cannot make them and needs
them from foods.
Plant-based
foods and oils are the primary source of this fat. Like monounsaturated fat,
polyunsaturated fat can decrease your risk of heart disease by lowering blood
cholesterol levels.
A certain
type of this fat, called omega-3 fatty
acids, have been shown to be particularly beneficial for your heart.
Omega-3s
appear to not only decrease the risk of coronary artery disease, but also help
lower blood pressure levels and guard against irregular heartbeats. The
following types of fatty fish contain omega-3 fatty acids:
- salmon
- herring
- sardines
- trout
You can
also find omega-3s in flaxseed, walnuts, and canola oil, although these contain
a less active form of the fat than fish do.
In addition
to omega-3 fatty acids, you can find polyunsaturated fat in the following
foods, which contain omega-6 fatty acids:
- tofu
- roasted soy beans and soy nut butter
- walnuts
- seeds (sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds)
- vegetable oils (corn oil, safflower oil, sesame oil, sunflower oil)
- soft margarine (liquid or tub)
Conclusion
New
research has revealed that fats are more on a continuum of good to bad than previously
thought.
While trans
fats are harmful to one’s health, saturated fats are not currently linked with
increased heart disease risk. However, they likely aren’t as healthy as
monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats can be.
Healthier
fats are an important part of your diet, but it’s still crucial to moderate
your consumption of them because all fats are high in calories.
As a
result, it’s a good idea to incorporate foods that contain monounsaturated and
polyunsaturated fats. It’s a strategy that will help your heart and improve
your quality of life.
Source input" Health Line & American Heart Association
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