by Ronda Cools

Created on: August 01, 2010

Your body needs food, fat and cholesterol in order to function efficiently.  But, while fat is essential to your body being able to function properly, the bad fats (saturated fats) and bad cholesterol (LDL) can cause heart decease and stroke. 

Good fats (unsaturated fats) are necessary for healthy cell production.  It is also required for hormone production and to warm your body and to provide energy. 

Cholesterol is produced in your body and also consumed in animal products that you eat such as eggs and meat.  Your body needs cholesterol for hormone production and to produce cell membranes.  There is good and bad cholesterol. 

Good cholesterol is HDL (high-density lipoprotein).  It actually helps to carry bad cholesterol away from your arteries and to your liver where your body works to dispose of it.  The bad cholesterol, LDL (low-density lipoprotein), comes from animal products that you consume.  This is the cholesterol that builds up in your heart and arteries and can cause heart decease and stroke.

The good fats are unsaturated fats (monounsaturated and polyunsaturated). These are found in fish, nuts, avocados and vegetable oils.  These healthy fats are rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids which are vital for healthy cell development and brain function.  Your body cannot produce them, so they must be consumed in the foods you eat.  Good fats, as well as oats, almonds, walnuts, kidney beans, apples, pears, prunes, barley, bananas, olive oil, yogurt and orange juice have been shown to help lower bad cholesterol levels.

Bad fats are called saturated and trans fats.  These are found in animal products and by-products such as meat, cheese, eggs, ice cream and butter.  Saturated and trans fats (also known as partially hydrogenated) will raise LDL (bad cholesterol) levels in your blood.  Over time these raise cholesterol which can build up on the arteries and cause heart decease or stroke. 

It’s important for your body to consume fat, but you should limit your caloric intake of fat to a healthy level.  There are nine calories in each gram of fat.  There are four calories in each gram of protein or carbohydrate.  It is therefore important to be consuming more protein and carbohydrates than fat, to create a healthy caloric intake of nutrients.

Eat healthfully incorporating healthy fats, lean protein and carbohydrates such as whole grains and fruits and vegetables into your diet.  Give your body the fuel it needs for a long and healthy life.

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