What, eat more fat?
Let’s talk Fat! Did you know your brain is approximately 60% fat? If you are not consuming fats your brain health suffers. A lack of essential fats can affect memory, concentration, focus, and even cause depression. We have been told for years to eat low fat, but why? I think we have been led to believe eating fats will cause us to be fat.
Let me break down the FATS of life! A fallacy that has been created in dieting is EATING fat will make you fat. There are fats that are not good for us – partially hydrogenated oils, more commonly known as trans-fats. These fats (oils) are made through a chemical process - hydrogenation. Hydrogenation solidifies liquid oil to help increase shelf life and provide stability to the flavor. Hydrogenated fats are found in vegetable shortening, margarine, and most snack foods – cookies, crackers, and chips. Trans-fatscause a host of problems in your body. They interfere with your body’s ability to regulate cholesterol, they have been linked to heart problems, and type II diabetes! Because of the danger of these fats, the FDA is in the middle of a 3 year process to ban artificial trans-fats from our food supply!
While this is intimidating, really quite scary, I can help you find healthy fats. Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) are unique because the body cannot manufacture these fatty acids. And yes, they are essential for good health. Essential fatty acids must be obtained through food or proper supplementation. There are two essential fatty acids know to be essential for human health: alpha-linolenic acid (an omega 3) and linoleic acid (an omega 6). These are found in food such as cold water fish, shellfish, flaxseed or linseed, freshly ground flaxseed oil, hemp seed, olive oil (extra virgin), soya oil, rapeseed oil, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, green leafy vegetables, and walnuts. According to the American Heart Association, consumption of omega-3 fatty acids is correlated with a decreased risk of sudden death, a decreased risk of blood clots, decreased triglyceride levels, and improved arterial health!
Our family supplements with a lot of healthy fats. We take Standard Processes Tuna Omega 3 oil in the sunny months, and then switch to Cod Liver Oil in the winter. Cod Liver oil has naturally occurring vitamin D and coenzyme C10. I bulletproof our coffee - which is I blend in butter and coconut cream. We use a lot of grass-fed butter (Kerrygold brand) and cold pressed olive oil. We also supplement with Designs for Health KTO-C8 chews. These watermelon flavored chews provide us with 500mg of medium chain triglycerides.
Change is difficult. But, if you make one healthy change each week, it is amazing how your life is transformed. This week think about fats and how you can change your diet to eliminate trans-fats and incorporate more essential fats. I look forward to hearing about your success!
Dr. John
