Eat Good Fats

It may come as a surprise: our bodies need fat. Did you know that fat is good for your skin, heart, bones, eyes and liver (just to name a few)? Did you know that fat helps regulate digestion, sleep and stress hormones? Did you know that even your brain needs fat to function properly?

But not all fats are created equal. There are good fats and there are not-so-good fats. Good fats in moderation do not make you fat. On the contrary, they actually aid your metabolism in digesting and burning the calories you consume.

Unsaturated fats are considered good fats because they can improve blood cholesterol levels. They come mainly from plant sources, such as vegetable oils, nuts and seeds, but can also be found in some meats such as tuna, beef, chicken and ham.

Some of these good fats include essential fatty acids, so-called because we cannot live without them. Our bodies need them for proper cell, tissue, gland and organ function. Our bodies can't produce essential fatty acids; we must get them from food or supplements. Essential fatty acids are found in foods such as seeds and nuts, fatty fish such as salmon and sardines, and (in small amounts) green vegetables.

http://www.udoerasmus.com/FAQ.htm#1_3
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http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/fats.html
downloaded June 28, 2005