Fats/Oils

Welcome to our Fats & Oils section. We provide valuable nutrition advice such as diet tips, fitness guides, and general health info.

The Surprising Truth About Fats And Oils

They’ve been maligned for decades but the truth is that fats and oils play a vital role in a healthy balanced diet. The fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K for instance need fats and oils for absorption. These vitamins are all important nutrients in a well balanced diet.

The biggest fat enemy is manufactured or artificial trans fats! These are made from polyunsaturated vegetable oils that have had hydrogen added to make them solid. Whilst trans fatty acids do occur naturally in small amounts in animal products like meat, butter and cheese, the manufactured ones pose the biggest risk! Research indicates they increase blood levels of LDL cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein), which is a bad thing and a contributing cause of coronary heart disease. It’s also thought that manufactured trans fatty acids decrease blood levels of HDL (high-density lipoprotein), which is also a bad thing.

Saturated fats have long been considered a public enemy as well but modern research is proving that this reputation is undeserved and unproven! Incorporating a certain amount of saturated fats in your diet is essential for helping to turn harmful small LDL particles into larger harmless LDL particles. Research is also increasingly proving that natural saturated fats, such as those found in dairy and eggs, actually raises the levels of HDL, which are the good lipoproteins.

Best Fats That Keep You Healthy

The other ‘good’ types of fats are monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. Both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fats. However, there is some evidence to suggest that excessive dietary omega-6 is not as beneficial as was once thought. This is the type of fatty acid found in oils like corn and soybean oil. Unfortunately, these types of oils are very popular for cooking, with the result being that many Americans now eat far too much omega-6.

Omega-3 fatty acids are predominantly found in fish – to find out more about the top 7 benefits of taking fish oil, visit Planet Supplements Health Blog! That’s why fish oil supplements are hugely popular and widely available. However, if you happen to be vegan or vegetarian there are still plenty of available options for plant sources of omega-3, commonly as alpha-linoleic acid or ALA. High on the list are the oils produced from hempseed, canola, flaxseed, mustard seed and walnuts. In fact, hempseed is rich in omegas 3, 6 and 9 with the added benefit of providing these in the correct ratios.

Omega 3s – Those Essential Fatty Acids

Science is increasingly find ways in which omega 3 fatty acids (ALA, EPA and DHA) can benefit our health! They’re great for helping with anxiety and depression, particularly EPA. A study found this omega 3-fatty acid to be as effective as the antidepressant drug Prozac! Omega-3 fatty acids also reduce heart disease risk factors.

The omega-3 fatty acid DHA is important for good brain, eye and retina health. DHA is in fact an important structural element in both the brain and the eye and diets rich in DHA have been linked to reduced incidences of macular degeneration. It’s also been proven that your brain works better with plenty of omega-3 fats, particularly DHA. Taking DHA fortified supplements during pregnancy has been associated with better intelligence, better eyesight and reduced risk of some other health issues in the child.

Some of the additional health benefits to be had with a diet rich in omega-3s includes an improvement or reduction of symptoms for:

• Childhood ADHD,
• Metabolic Syndrome,
• Autoimmune Disease
• Inflammation
• Mental Disorders
• Age-Related Mental Decline and Alzheimer’s Disease
• Childhood Asthma
• Liver fat
• Menstrual Pain
• Bone and Joint Health

Additionally, omega-3s may help

• prevent cancer
• improve sleep
• improve skin

Visit Planet Supplement’s Health And Fitness Blog for advice and information about the benefits of eating fats that keep you healthy!