Good fat?
The world of fats in our diet continues to be fraught with controversy and confusion. Do we eat fat, or not? Are there good fats and bad fats? Does eating fat make us fat? Do we even NEED fat?
The answers are yes, yes, no and a resounding yes! On the last yes, we seem to be forgetting that we need fat for many functions in the body. We think that because we may have excess fat on our bodies that we should have more than what we need, but that isn't true. We also erroneously believe that fat will increase our risk of heart attacks, stroke, diabetes and a host of other falsely believed stories.
Fat is our primary, and more preferred source of energy. For this reason, the body normally stores fat. Of course, many store too much fat, but that is an entirely different mechanism. Eating good fats, do not make you fat! Carbs are needed more for repeated bursts of energy, such as in athletic performance. When you eat a low carbohydrate diet and the body accesses fats for energy instead of carbs, you will lose fat weight, and not muscle. Eating fat also makes you feel more satisfied, so you are less apt to over-consume carbohydrates.
Fats are needed for cell signaling systems (communication between the brain and body) in the nervous system. Fats form hemoglobin in the blood, the vascular and cell walls and other constituents of the cardiovascular system. Membrane fluidity, regulation of blood pressure, blood clot protection and oxygen carrying capacity are other functions of fats.
Keeping joints lubricated, and providing precursors for your anti-inflammatory hormones are also cardinal applications of fats. They cushion your organs and bones, and help keep them in their proper anatomical positions (which is what keeps your organs from falling to your knees!)
We need fats to absorb vitamins: A, D, E & K, and to transport minerals into your bones and tissues. This also helps maintain your hair, skin and nails. A good indication you need more good fats is if your skin is dry and you need lotion. Water hydrates, but fats moisturize.
Fats are needed to make the brain hormones that control emotional stability. In fact the need for fats was realized when studies on MS, ALS, Autism, Epilepsy, Bipolar, Schizophrenia, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Pervasive Developmental Delay, Fibromyalgia and CFIDS revealed the connection between essential fatty acid deficiencies and these conditions.
What is equally important is what fats to consume, and which not to. Last century, it was theorized that saturated fats were the bad guys and polyunsaturated fats were good. Now, as our health index continues to decline, we are finding those assumptions are simply wrong. In the next article we'll review which fats are good, and which were falsely assumed to be bad and are now OK, and which should be avoided at all costs!
Learn more by attending our upcoming health class, "Good Fats, Bad Fats, Fat Phobia," 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14 in Coeur d'Alene. RSVP: (208) 765-1994.
Holly Carling is a Doctor of Oriental Medicine, Licensed Acupuncturist, Doctor of Naturopathy, Clinical Nutritionist and Master Herbologist with more than 32 years of experience. Carling is currently accepting new patients and offers natural health-care services and whole food nutritional supplements in her Coeur d'Alene clinic. Visit Carling's website at www.vitalhealthandfitness.com to learn more about Carling, view a list of upcoming health classes and read other informative articles. Carling can be reached at (208) 765-1994 and would be happy to answer any questions regarding this topic.