If you ask a layman the benefits of eating fat, you’d probably be laughed at and delivered a long lecture of countless harm that fat can do to your body. Fats are bad in excess, we all know, but fats are essential and more precisely some specific fats are essential, is a topic lesser known and discussed among people.
If you ask a layman the benefits of eating fat, you’d probably be laughed at and delivered a long lecture of countless harm that fat can do to your body. Fats are bad in excess, we all know, but fats are essential and more precisely some specific fats are essential, is a topic lesser known and discussed among people.
Good fats and bad fats
Fats are good and they are also bad, it totally depends on what is the composition underlying the same. Trans fats are those fats, which are partially hydrogenated saturated fats. In simple terms, we may understand them by their solid state at room temperature and their sources of origin are from plants and animals. Technically, these fats have no double bonds present in their chemical structure. Trans fats are the result of a process of hydrogenation of the saturated fatty acid molecule. (Read: 6 natural sources of ‘good fats’ you need in your diet)
Kinds of fatty acids
Fats have two kinds of fatty acids in them, the first type is Omega-3 fatty acids and the other one is Omega-6 fatty acids. Our body essentially requires both kinds of fatty acids, but Omega-6 fatty acids have been reported to be harmful for our body, in abundance. As trans fatty acids are rich in Omega-6, they are considered harmful for our health. The most recent findings about fat concentrations and health status have confirmed the belief that a proper balance between Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids is crucial for our health. Discussed below are the health benefits of fats. (Read: Revealed — why you need fat)
Reduces risk of heart disease and stroke
Omega-3 has been found to reduce the occurrence of heart disease and stroke. Omega-3 fatty acids contained in saturated fats are found to be very effective due to their low LDL cholesterol level and high HDL cholesterol levels which are bad and good for the heart, respectively. HDL cholesterol containing saturated fats, such as egg fats and coconut oil, may reduce the risk of coronary heart diseases and regulate the level of insulin in your blood due to antioxidant properties. (Read: 5 natural foods to prevent heart disease)
Improves the immune system
Saturated fatty acids are found to be very effective in improving the immune response of your body as they are anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory in nature. Here are 10 natural remedies to strengthen your immune system.
Hydrates skin and eyes
The saturated fatty acids also help in improving the lubrication of your body as they prevent the dryness of your skin and eyes.
Controls cancer cell growth
Saturated fatty acids have been found to be carrying anti-cancerous properties as they are extremely effective in checking the growth of unwanted cell growth in any portion of the body. They are especially effective in some kinds of cancers such as pancreatic and prostate cancers. Researches show that trans fats containing Omega-6 fatty acids induce the risk of cancer and metastasis. Omega-6 fatty acids, just as important as Omega-3!
Aids proper functioning of the brain
Saturated fatty acids have been reported to be extremely effective in checking osteoporosis and aiding in proper functioning of the brain. As the brain is made up of cholesterol and essential fatty acids, any shortage of essential fatty acids may reduce the brain’s activity which covers all kinds of subconscious and conscious functions of the brain.
Improves fertility
Reproductive health is a major concern for both men and women; and in both, the reproductive hormones are made up of essential fats. Any condition of low intake of the essential fats may cause a problem of infertility in men and women, irregular cycles and menopause in female, and fluctuating male hormone levels in men. (Read: 7 foods to boost fertility in men and women)
Balances hormone levels in the blood
Essential fatty acids have been found to be enablers of the process of fat burning and inducers of the right metabolic rate in the body. In diabetics, they have also been found to be working as regulators of the blood sugar levels. Essential fats also cause a rapid muscle gain after strenuous exercise by balancing the hormone levels in the blood.
Originally published on www.thehealthsite.com
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