Fats: The Great, the Good and the Ugly

Fats: The Great, the Good and the Ugly
Fats were once perceived as "the enemy": the nutrient that led to heart attacks, strokes,
diabetes, obesity, and all the other health problems that have become so common thanks to the
modern diet. The good news is that fat is no longer the threat—empty carbs have taken that
place.
Fats are more than just another part of your diet; they're VITAL for your health. If you want to
be healthy, you need to include more fats in your diet. But the type of fat you eat can make all
the difference in the world.
The Great
Unsaturated fats are EXCELLENT for your health. These fats--derived from plants, nuts, seeds,
and veggies—reduce your risk of cardiovascular problems, decrease inflammation in your body,
and improve your natural fat-burning metabolism. Eating more of these fats is the key to being
healthy, losing weight, and controlling your blood sugar and body fat.
Monounsaturated fat is primarily found in nuts, seeds, avocados, coconuts, olive oil, and canola
oil. Eating foods high in monounsaturated fat can drastically improve your cholesterol levels,
thanks to their ability to increase the HDL cholesterol that manages your bad LDL cholesterol.

Polyunsaturated fat is primarily found in plant-based foods, such as coconuts, olives, and fatty
veggies. It's also effective at boosting HDL cholesterol, but it's also an anti-inflammatory agent
that can reduce joint disease as well as heart disease.
Omega-3 fatty acids are a form of polyunsaturated fat. Omega-3s are one of the most important
nutrients to boost heart and joint health.
The Good
Saturated fat—found in animal products like meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy--has gotten a bad
reputation over the last decades, but science has disproven the myth that saturated fat leads to
heart attacks.
Consumption of saturated fat not only provides your body the fats needed to build cells and
maintain hormone balance, but it can also encourage better fat-burning. An excess of saturated
fat can lead to excess calorie intake, but saturated fat will NOT raise your risk of heart disease if
consumed in moderation.
The Ugly
Trans fats and hydrogenated oils are the villains of the fat world. They are fats that have been
artificially created or enhanced, and they are the fats your body cannot properly break down
and use. This means that when they are absorbed into the bloodstream, they simply float
around—thereby increasing the risk of heart disease.
They are primarily found in artificial foods, pre-packaged and processed foods, and anything
fried or deep fried. They are better off avoided!
Fats are an important part of a healthy lifestyle and diet. You shouldn't try to cut them out of
your meals, but you should focus on eating the good fats, the ones that improve your health and
benefit your heart, metabolism, and weight.
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