| Many health conscious people strive for a | | | | contained just too much of this fat because |
| low-fat diet. But you could be missing out | | | | it is found in fatty meats and cooking oils. |
| on many health benefits such weight loss and | | | | However, it is not the over-consumption of |
| a strong cardiovascular system if you miss | | | | the Omega 6's for they are absolutely |
| the essential fats. | | | | necessary for survival - it is how we consume |
| | | | it. |
| The no fat and low fat diet way of thinking | | | | |
| came from the fact that so many people were - | | | | The problem lies in the processing of the |
| well - fat. It was logical to assume that it | | | | foods and the balance of the fats. First of |
| was because we were eating too much of it. | | | | all, cooking or heating these foods (such as |
| Now we're learning more. We now know that | | | | the cooking oils) will break the EFA chains |
| the harmful fats are the trans-fatty, | | | | rendering the healthy fats useless. We also |
| oxidized and heat-processed fats like those | | | | know there is a difference in the healthy |
| found in margarine, fried foods and even | | | | Omega 6 fats and the trans-fats found through |
| grain-fed cattle. | | | | cooking and fatty meats. Adding to this |
| | | | problem is the fact that we consume too few |
| In the daily strive for health we attempted | | | | Omega 3 and Omega 9 foods, which causes an |
| to cut out all fats only to learn we are | | | | imbalance in our diets and our health. |
| hurting ourselves. Fortunately it is a new | | | | |
| era and we now know which fats to not only | | | | Where can we get the other fats that we need? |
| cut out - but what we need to include in our | | | | Some of the best sources of Omega 3's are |
| diets for better health, free of premature | | | | flaxseeds and their oil, walnuts and their |
| aging and degenerative disease. | | | | oil, wheat germ oil, salmon, halibut, |
| | | | snapper, scallops, and winter squash. Omega |
| These good fats are called the Essential | | | | 9's can be found in food sources such as |
| Fatty Acids. They fall into two categories | | | | olive oil, sesame oil, avocadoes, peanuts |
| of Omega 3's and Omega 6's. Both types of | | | | (raw nuts of bottled oil), almonds, cashews, |
| fats are essential and it is important to get | | | | pecans, macadamia nuts and hazelnuts. |
| them from a variety of sources. The | | | | |
| essential fats are the most popular because | | | | Consuming the essential fats are being more |
| they are the most researched. There is one | | | | recognized each day as an important health |
| more category of fat, however, that you | | | | factor. We already noted some of the |
| should be aware of - the Omega 9's. Although | | | | benefits above. So what more could there be? |
| not classified as an Essential Fat, it is | | | | Add to those health benefits the fact that |
| well known that they are necessary for good | | | | consuming the healthy fats can stabilize |
| health. | | | | blood sugar. When regularly consumed, you |
| | | | will feel fuller and more satisfied longer so |
| Let's look at the effects of these fats. | | | | you eat less with fewer cravings and less |
| Deficiencies in these fatty acids can result | | | | fatigue. In addition, including these fats |
| in heart disease, depression, fatigue, and | | | | into your daily diet will have anti-aging |
| inflammation, which can lead to arthritis and | | | | effects on your skin, hair and hormonal |
| even cancer. Benefits of including the good | | | | system. Essential fats also have detoxifying |
| fats include weight loss, a stronger immune | | | | properties. |
| system, anti-inflammatory abilities, balanced | | | | |
| hormones, thicker hair, and healthier, supple | | | | If you want extra benefits, take a supplement |
| skin. | | | | form that is cold-pressed and minimally |
| | | | processed. You can usually find these in the |
| Omega 6 fatty acids can be found in many | | | | refrigerated section of your local health |
| sources such as walnut oil, grapeseed oil, | | | | food store. No matter what form you choose, |
| avocados, hemp oil, and pumpkin oil. It was | | | | the benefits of EFA's are many so be sure to |
| once believed that the American diet | | | | include them in your diet. |