What are the Facts about Unhealthy Fats?
Many people claim that saturated fats and cholesterol are the healthy fats. This may not be entirely true. What is true is that saturated fats can increase the level of bad cholesterol in the blood, however saturated fats are still important as part of a healthy balanced diet because they have many healthy and essential properties to help us to keep fit and healthy.
The danger comes when eating damaged fats, trans-fats and hydrogentated fats. Any fat that has it’s chemical structure changed or damaged by heat or oxgenation is essentially a “bad” fat, as damaged fats can damage us. Therefore choose your cooking oils and fats carefully.
DO NOT cook/fry with virgin olive oil. This will destroy the fat and remove any healthy properties. Instead choose a oil such as red palm oil or virgin cononut oil which remains stable at a high temperature.
Saturated Fats – These are found in most animal-based foods and some plant based foods. These fats increase the levels of bad (LDL) cholesterol in the blood. Saturated Fats consistute about 50% of cells membranes which is essential for healthy bodily functions. Saturated fats are also good at boosting the immune system and can help in the absorbtion of calcium.
Cholesterol
Is used to create hormones, including stress aliviating and sex hormones. Cholesterol is used to create bile, needed in the digestion process. Can act as a antitoxidant. Can help to produce vitamin D, essential for growth and repair.
The above shows that both saturated fats and cholesterol are needed as part of a healthy balanced diet. The danger comes when we eat fats that have been damanged by heat and artificial processes.
Damaged fats can injure blood vessel walls, leading to a build up of plaque that heals the injured area. It is this build up of plaque that impairs blood circulation and could lead to heart disease and chronic illness.
Damaged fats and cholesterol can be found in: Pasteurized dairy products, powered milk and eggs, deep fried foods, most vegetable oils and all hydrogenated oils
Healthy fats and cholesterol can be found in:
Avocado, Nuts and sees, eggs, chicken, cold pressed olive oil and flaxseed oil and others.
Organic free range eggs contain a much higher amount of healthy fats and cholesterol compared to low grade battery chicken eggs.
Red palm oil or virgian coconut oils are the best to cook with because they remain most stable at high temperatures.
Information created with the aid of - http://drbenkim.com/articles-fat.html
