Saturated and Unsaturated Fats

Eating the right kind of saturated and unsaturated fats contribute to an anti-inflammatory diet.

Saturated Fats

Saturated fats are essential for different body functions - such as making cholesterol and important hormones (of course all hormones are important).

Did you know that cholesterol is important for healthy cell membranes?

Of course eating the right kind of saturated fats makes a big difference if you're seeking to reduce chronic inflammation in your body.

You will find saturated fats in meat, dairy products like butter, chicken, turkey and boxed foods.

Coconut Oil Cooking

Coconut oil is one of the best oils to use for cooking and baking. It is a saturated fat that is stable at high temperatures - which means less oxidation, which means less inflammation.

Coconut oil benefits include:

Source of powerful antioxidants

Help regulate and support healthy hormone production

Supports healthy cholesterol formation in the liver

To learn more about coconut oil benefits click here: Coconut Oil Benefits

Unsaturated Fats

It is important to concentrate on the type of fats we include in our anti-inflammatory diet and not as much on the amount we ingest.

The best description I have for these types of fats comes from the book,Flat Belly Diet!:

"An unsaturated fat is one that isn't so tightly constructed and is therefore more flexible - this flexibility is the reason unsaturated fats are good."

The two types of unsaturated fats are:

1. Monounsaturated Fats

Monounsaturated fats (MUFAs)are plant based fats. At room temperature they remain liquid, but if put in the refrigerator they may solidify.

These types of fats have been found to help protect against heart disease. You can get your MUFAs from these foods:

1. Olive oil, flaxseed oil and walnut oil

2. Olives

3. Walnuts, sunflower seeds, macadamia nuts

4. Avocados

2. Polyunsaturated Fat

Polyunsaturated fats are your omega fatty acids. These fats stay as liquids at room temperature and if refrigerated. There are several kinds - omega 3, 6, and 9.

Dr. Lylas Mogk, board certified ophthalmologist and author of Macular Degeneration: The Complete Guide to Saving and Maximizing Your Sight states,"It turns out that the rods and cones of the macula need a certain amount of omega-3 to function."

Health benefits of omega 3 include reducing inflammation in the body. Omega 6 fats tend to promote inflammation. Most Americans eat way too many omega 6 fats which are found in processed foods like frozen dinners, crackers, cookies - almost anything in a package or box.

To learn how to start experiencing some of the anti-inflammatorybenefits of these good fats click here: Omega 3 EPA DHA

Essential Fatty Acid Deficiency

Although true essential fatty acid deficiency is rare, most American bodies are low in omega 3s.

These essential fatty acids cannot be made by the body - we can only get them through diet and/or fish oil capsules or liquid fish oil.

Because it has become increasingly more difficult to get EFAs in the American diet we are seeing many health conditions that can benefit from supplementing with omega-3s. To find out what happens if your body is deficient in omega 3's click here: Essential Fatty Acid Deficiency

For More Information:

Coconut Oil/Butter, 24oz, Sunfood Nutrition (raw, certified organic)

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