by Kristine Lockhart

Created on: March 08, 2009   Last Updated: March 16, 2009

Diet experts have long warned Americans to lay off fat; they promote eating a low fat diet. They warn us against eating fatty foods such as avocados and meat products. True, they both contain fat. Avocados are nicknamed, "butter pears", because of their high fat content. One medium size avocado contains 30 grams of fat, as much as a McDonalds Big N' Tasty.

Nutritionists are now changing their tone. The fat found in avocados is the very best fat for our bodies. This monounsaturated fat is actually responsible for lowering cholesterol levels. Now, instead of cursing the avocado with all its fat content, the U.S. government is trying to get its citizens to eat more avocados through recently revising its official nutrition guidelines.

The highly versatile avocado is appreciated for health benefits in many areas. Eating small amounts three times a day will give us quality health. Avocados help with absorption of fatty acids, such as lycopene and beta-carotene, when added to veggie salads or salsas. It increases the absorption 4.36 and 2.55 times higher, respectively then these foods without the avocado.

Death occurs more often from oral cancer then death by breast, skin, or cervical cancer. Late detection makes the mortality rate about forty-nine percent according to Britain's Mouth Cancer Foundation. Scientists specify the Hass avocado grown in Fallbrook, California targets free radicals within the oral cancer cells helping overcome the disease.

Prostate cancer is likely inhibited by Hass avocados, which contain the highest content of lutein found in common fruits. When analyzed these California fruits were found to contain other cancer fighting nutrients such as zeaxanthin, alpha-carotene and beta-carotene, which are all related carotenoids plus significant amounts of tocopherols (vitamin E).

An avocado contains a higher source of potassium then a medium size banana. Potassium lowers blood pressure and keeps depression and fatigue away increasing the power of concentration. Vitamins B6, C, E, A, (antioxidants), and K along with folate and copper are supplied in goodly amounts, which boost immune support. A good 20 % of the thirty grams of fat found in avocados are health promoting fats such as oleic acid (omega-9), lecithin, and omega 3, which lowers heart attack risk and artherosclerosis, and helps in cancer prevention especially breast cancer.

Eating the pleasant tasting avocado is a good way to insure good health by protecting ourselves against a host of diseases. It may even slow down the aging process.

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