Digitally Fit: Why You Need Fats

Saturday, August 20, 2011

Why You Need Fats

All fats and oils are called Lipids

Lipids are divided into 3 groups:

Triglycerides
Phospholipids
Sterols

Fats are concentrated sources of energy. Fats contain 9 calories per gram compared to carbohydrates and protein which are 4 calories per gram.

The body needs fats for fertility and proper nerve function. Fats are important because they:

Keep your cell membranes strong
Are cushioning for organs & cells
Protect the transmission of nerves
Are carriers of fat soluble vitamins
Comprise 60% of the brain
Keep your gastrointestinal tract healthy

Cholesterol is the starting point for where hormones and bile salts for digestion are manufactured.

You can tell if you are absorbing your fats if your stools don’t float ;)

Types of Fats (WE NEED ALL):

Saturated: Solid at room temperature. Dairy fat and cocoa butter. Butyric acid, found in butter, supports the health of the intestinal cell lining. Unsaturated: Have at least one double bond, are liquid at room temperature and are damaged with high heat. Omega-6 and omega-3’s.

Monounsaturated: Have one double-bonded unsaturated carbon in the molecule. These fats start to turn solid when chilled. Avocado, peanut butter, olive oil, canola oil, nuts and seeds. Polyunsaturated: Liquid at room temperature and when chilled. Salmon, mackerel, soybean oil and corn oil.

When an unsaturated fat contains the first double bond at the third carbon, it is referred to as an omega-3 fatty acid. EPA is a component of omega-3 and it is only found in fish oils and seafood. DHA is found in fish and algae.

Omega-3’s are anti-inflammatory, they increase your metabolism and increase motor skills.

Congugated linoleic acid (CLA) is found inaturally in grass-fed cows. Evidence has shown that CLA might reduce the risk of cancers, including breast, skin, prostate, colon, lung and stomach. (Murray, 2005)