Fuel Your Food With Healthy Fats

What’s the Skinny on Fats?

For years, multimedia platforms have groomed a large portion of the public into believing that fats are bad for you. With wispy models on the runways showing of thin bodies, actors and actresses looking toned on the red carpet, and a number of health magazines offering to tell all about how to diet and lose weight quickly, many individuals feel compelled to say away from fatty foods. Even commercials advertise the latest trend in weight loss, whether it consists of a meal plan, pill, or exercise equipment. This bombardment of having the perfect body pulls many into gravitation. 

However, many of these methods can be misleading, as some articles and news segments can inform viewers and readers to stay away from many of the foods that keep the body nourished and functioning properly. Besides, not all fats are bad for you. Some fats can cause clogged arteries and weight gain; but many contribute to good health and bodily function. Steering clear of all fats can cause more harm than help, and lead to a malnourished body that does not perform on the highest possible level. Face naturals gives you the scoop on which fats are healthy and which are not. Now you can have an edge over much of the information floating around.

 

Dangerous Fats to Drain from Your Diet

Do not be fooled – some fats are terrible for your body and health. They can lead to problems including intake of unnecessary calories, higher levels of unhealthy cholesterol, heart problems, diabetes, and weight gain. These kinds of fats often do lead to conditions such as obesity, and should be limited, if not cut out of your diet completely. They can come from different sources, both in processed foods and animal products. Steer clear of the following fats to ensure a healthy weight and lifestyle.

Trans fat, often found in fried foods, dessert mixes, and hydrogenated cooking oils, easily piles on the health implications. It increases LDL cholesterol levels to an unhealthy degree, leading to a wider potential for cardiovascular disease and clogged arteries. As a common factor in some of the most inviting processed foods, trans fat consumption has risen greatly among the American population in search of cheap, easy foods. However, it should be as limited as possible, if not cut out entirely.

Saturated fats are generally recognized as the fats that maintain a solid consistency at room temperature. They can compactly stick together to form artery-clogging structures our bodies.  While saturated fats can prove useful to many functions, you should limit your daily consumption to no more than ten percent of your total fat intake. Animal products such as red meat or solid cooking substances like butter contain this type of fat. Too much of it will lead to higher LDL cholesterol levels, heightened risk for type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

 

Fats That Feed Your Needs

While you should limit, if not eliminate, your intake of saturated and trans fat, other fatty acids actually help your body function properly by providing it  with necessary nourishment that other foods cannot offer. Many of the vitamins we need are fat soluble – meaning that they dissolve with fat so that our bodies can properly absorb them. Some fats also function as a form of nutrient themselves, offering healing and energy to the rest of our cells. Besides, each cell wall in our body is made up of a lipid bilayer – another form of fat.

Our bodies require essential fatty acids to work properly. These essential fatty acids generally include omega-3 fatty acids (polyunsaturated), omega-6 fatty acids (polyunsaturated), and omega-9 fatty acids (monounsaturated). Each of these serves a special purpose in ensuring that a number of different systems function properly, and offer tools to maintain optimal health. You can often get them from unprocessed or unrefined vegetable and plant oils, nuts, seeds, and fruits and vegetables like avocados.

Omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammation properties, which benefits the cardiovascular and neurological systems. Omega-3s keep triglycerides at a minimal, which in turn benefits cholesterol levels. This minimizes the potential for hearth disease. Your brain benefits as well, as omega-3s can ensure proper neurological development and maintenance. It decreases symptoms of ADHD in children, and prevents or lessens conditions such as Alzheimer’s and depression. Additionally, the anti-inflammation allows this fatty acid to relieve many other inflammatory conditions, like arthritis and asthma.

Omega-6 fatty acids should have a proper ratio with omega-3 for optimal benefits. The proper ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids is 5:1. This fatty acid stimulates cell growth, especially in muscle and brain tissues. It also regulates the body’s hormones, which send messages to other parts of the body. This can balance emotions and reduce physical pain as well. Like omega-3 fatty acids, omega-6 fatty acids also influence inflammation and pain reception inside the body. This can impact mood swings and the immune system’s responses.

Finally, omega-9s act in a similar way as the omega-3 and omega-6 counterparts. It also decreases overall potential for developing cardiovascular disease and improves brain function to influence mood. However, it also works to balance your metabolism through blood-sugar control. This not only decreases your risk of developing diabetes, but also regulates your body weight in a healthy way. This means that ensuring a proper amount of omega-9 fatty acids could improve your chances at obtaining an ideal weight.

 

Fewer Fats – Failed Health

Restricting your intake of fat can lead to health problems, especially if you are limiting your intake of healthy, essential fats. So, while many media outlets advertise that cutting down on fat intake will lead to a more fashionable you. However, if you are cutting down on the wrong fats, then you could easily set the stage for staggering health in a short amount of time. Ensure your proper intake of fatty acids to keep your energy levels booming.

Your risk of developing cardiovascular disease spikes by not consuming enough essential fatty acids. Since they control cholesterol levels, and other fats can spike them, a lack of consumption may lead to clogged arteries and a higher risk of heart attack or stroke. One of the best ways to keep your cardiovascular system in optimal condition is to consume healthy fatty acids on the regular.

As mentioned before, fats help your body absorb vitamins more efficiently. This means that not consume enough in your diet could cause a deficiency of vitamins. Vitamins A, D, E, and K are common vitamins that need fat to absorb. Each of these allows your body to process other vitamins and minerals needed for proper bone development, immune function, and defective blood clotting. Plus, your metabolism works irregularly as a result, causing you to feel hungrier and unsatisfied.

Many people may develop depression as a result of poor eating habits. Lack of essential fatty acids have direct links to this mood disorder, as they aid regulation of hormones like serotonin and dopamine, which make you feel good. Some serious deficiencies often lead to the severe type of depression that can lead to suicide. Symptoms such as anxiety and stress will increase as the body’s reserves of fatty acids decreases. Keep your head above the water by keeping the good fats flowing.

 

Get Your Fill of Fats with Face Naturals

We want you to join us in our healthy mission to provide information that educates others about natural ways to take care of themselves and others. That is why we post blogs and other materials that let you know what to do and not to do to your body for the best possible health you can attain. Eat your organic fruits and vegetables, and get your daily fill of fatty acids for the best possible results.

Did you know fatty acids are good for your skin, too? Eating plenty of them will help, but applying our all-natural products to your skin will optimize your results. Whether you struggle with inflammation, acne, aging, or reactive skin, we have organic products made from nourishing botanicals that will feed your skin from the outside in. Take care of your skin by treating it to the nutrients in face naturals skin-care products. Feel free to contact us for more information about our products.

 

References

• 9 Trans Fat-Laden Foods to Avoid
• The Facts on Omega-3 Fatty Acids
• Omega 6 Benefits
• Dietary Fats: Know Which Types to Choose
• What is Omega-9?
• Good Fats, Bad Fats: How to Choose
• Harmful Effects of Ingesting Too Little Fat