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Fats

What are fats?

Fats are the means of transporting cholesterol. Once in the blood, they encapsulate and transport the particles of cholesterol. Good fats take the cholesterol to the right places in the body. Bad fats tend to stick to the blood vessels and are therefore bad means of transport resulting in blockages!
 

Saturated fats

Saturated fats are mainly found in animal products. These include butter, cheese and milk products, beef and chocolate. Some vegetable fats, such as cocoa butter, palm oil and coconut oil, contain a lot of vegetable fat. It can generally be said that saturated fats are coagulated (hard) at room temperature. In our bodies saturated fats result in the cholesterol content of the blood increasing.
 

Unsaturated fats

These fats are generally liquid at room temperature and come mainly from vegetable products. A lot of unsaturated fats are found in oil, salad dressing, fish and nuts. Unsaturated fats can result in the cholesterol level in the body decreasing, so that the chance of cardiovascular disease is reduced. 
 

Mono-unsaturated fats

Mono-unsaturated fatty acids are also known as Omega-9 fatty acids. The best-known Omega-9 fatty acid is oleic acid. Olive oil, for example, is an Omega-9 fatty acid and contains a great deal of oleic acid. Oleic acid has a powerful cholesterol lowering effect. It does not increase HDL (beneficial - high density lipoprotein) cholesterol, but it does reduce the LDL (harmful - low density lipoprotein) cholesterol. Omega-9 fatty acids occur in olive oil, sesame oil, avocados and peanuts.
 

Poly-unsaturated fats

The Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids are also known as the poly-unsaturated fatty acids and are among the essential fatty acids. In other words, they are fatty acids that our body needs, just as we need vitamins and minerals. Our Western eating habits do not provide us with enough of these important fats.

Another little note on what Omega-3 does for us:

  • Essential for the growth and development of the brain.
  • Promotes mental balance.
  • Strengthens the immune system.
  • Contributes to the proper functioning of the heart and blood vessels.