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