No fat. Low fat. We’ve all been conditioned to think that these words lead to good health. The truth is that we NEED fat. Yes, the saturated fats such as meat, dairy products, some oils (olive and coconut) and tropical plants (coconuts and avocadoes). In fact, when you eat fats as part of your meal, they slow down absorption so that you can go longer without feeling hungry. That’s why non-fat foods make you feel more hungry. There is nothing in them that makes you feel full. The brain doesn’t get the message to stop eating. Also, fats make food taste better. However, with non-fat or low fat foods, sugar (or even worse, sugar substitutes) is often added for flavor. In reality, the sweeteners are the real villains behind obesity and heart disease rather than fat! However, I’ll save that discussion for another article.
Other crucial functions of fat are that they act as carriers for important fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K. Without fat, your body cannot absorb these essential vitamins 
. Again, people eating low fat diets may become malnourished even if they eat the foods rich in these vitamins, as their bodies can’t absorb them. Dietary fats are also needed for the conversion of carotene to vitamin A, for mineral absorption, and for a host of other biological processes.
While it is true that going low fat for short term can help cleanse the body of a congested system and lose weight, but for the long term it can do more harm than good. Deficiency of fat causes sensation of inner cold, body functions slow such as your metabolism, and tissues grow brittle. Fat lubricates the inside of the body and make other functions operate smoothly. It also forms a protective coating around cells and is an important source of energy. Just think of what happens when there is no oil in your car-the engine and the parts can’t run properly as there is no lubrication. Same thing with your body!
This no-fat, low fat misnomer is a relatively new theory compared to centuries old evidence to the contrary. Take a look at Eskimos. Eskimos eat liberally of animal fats (70% of their diet!) from fish and marine animals. On their native diet, they have extremely low rates of heart disease, diabetes and cancer.
In China, an extensive study of diet and disease patterns found that the region in which the populace consumes large amounts of whole milk had half the rate of heart disease as several districts in which only small amounts of animal products are consumed.
How about the French. Anyone who has eaten his way across France has observed that the French diet is just loaded with saturated fats in the form of butter, eggs, cheese, cream, liver, meats and rich patés. Yet the French have a lower rate of coronary heart disease than many other western countries.
Ok, now that we know that some fats are our friends, there are some man made fats that are not. Always avoid trans fats. This fat was actually banned in New York City restaurants-and for good reason. These vegetable oils have added hydrogen or partially added. That is hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils such as margarine and imitation butter spreads and more. The hydrogen makes the oil turn into a solid form and makes products last longer. Yes, there’s a reason that some chips and cookies have a shelf life for years. Is food really meant to last for years before it actually breaks down? Hmmmm. Anyway, these fats wreak havoc on your system by blocking essential fatty acid absorption, high cholesterol, paralysis of the immune system, cancer, diabetes, sexual dysfunction, obesity, sterility, birth defects and more. In other words, steer clear of trans fats!
Let’s talk about some good fats. Coconut oil is one of my favorites. While nearly all saturated fats are considered long-chain fatty acids (LCFA), coconut oil consists of medium-chained fatty acids (MCFA) that not only have no negative effect on cholesterol, they can actually lower the risk of both atherosclerosis and heart disease. MCFA are also one of the most readily available fats that our bodies can utilize. Our livers are able to break these fats down fairly quickly so our bodies can use them as energy instead of storing them in our fat cells. This is what makes coconut oil burn fat by increasing your metabolism and one reason that makes it so great for us. So, coconut oil helps lose weight and curb heart disease. It’s no wonder that this oil is touted by the Victoria’s Secret models Miranda Kerr and Giselle Bundchen as their beauty secret! Just make sure you buy unprocessed, virgin coconut oil. I use lots every day.
Butter, yes butter, is better than most other oils, also (with the exception of olive oil and coconut oil). Again, look at history. Animal fats have been around for hundreds of years in the American diet with low rates of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and obesity. In fact, butter helps supply our bodies with essential fatty acids, helps maintain hormonal balance, keeps arteries supple and flexible due to its lauric acid content, provides source of vitamins K, D and E, contains antioxidants that help fight free radicals, assists in building muscle and boosting immune system. Need I say more? Don’t be afraid to use butter, but quality matters. At the very least, always buy organic. The best butter is organic that comes from grass fed cows and has not been pasteurized. Check out a great source for this better butter that I order from frequently atwww.USWellness.com. They are also a great source of animal fat in the form of red meat. Yes, lean red meat is fine for you as long as it is from grass fed animals and certified organic.
Now that you have the Fat Facts, fear no more. Remember, quality is the key and be sure to incorporate these good essential fats into your daily diet!
