March 2014 Classes

Fat: The Good. The Bad. The Essential.

Fat seems to be one of the most complex and misunderstood concepts of nutrition, so misunderstood that our country went through a “fat-free” revolution that introduced countless products to our grocery store shelves.  

The fact is fat is good, or let me be more specific: Healthy Fat is good!  You should not be afraid of foods that contain healthy fats, including foods that contain cholesterol. 

Healthy fats are essential to proper body functions. We cannot assimilate some nutrients without fat.  Each cell in your body has a membrane made of fat.  Your vital organs are all surrounded by a protective layer of fat.  Healthy fat supports balanced Hormone function, fats give us energy, and they are required for normal cell function.  Fats also slow down the absorption of carbohydrates this helps you feel full & satisfied.

Essential Fatty Acids are those that our body cannot produce by itself.  These are Omega-3 and Omega -6 fatty acids. 

A good balance between these two types of fat should be 3 to 1 omenga-6 to omega-3, but the typical Western diet is between 20:1 and 50:1.  

10 Common  symptoms that your omega ratio may be out of balance:

1.       Dry, flaky skin, or "chicken skin" on backs of arms
2.       Lowered immunity, frequent infections
3.       Fatigue
4.       Cracked skin on heals or fingertips
5.       Dry, dull hair
6.       Dry eyes
7.       Brittle or soft nails
8.       Poor wound healing
9.       Hyperactivity and or irritability
10.       Learning disorders

What are your favorite healthy fats?