by Lynda Kohn

Created on: November 15, 2010   Last Updated: November 20, 2010

Healthy Fats. At first glance this phrase seems like a contradiction in terms.  For many people if its a fat its bad, its harmful. Fat makes you fat seems to be the mantra.  While it is true a fat molecule contains nine calories vs a protein or carbohydrate molecule with five  calorie it isn't that simple.  Fat definitely serves several important purposes. The following info is about fats in general.   First fats in general makes certain foods taste more palatable.   To many people who taste foods that are fat free they think of them as taste free.  Fat makes one feel sated from eating.  This is the reason why diets extremely low in fat , invariably don't work. One needs some fat in order to be satisfied with one's eating.  That is to stop at a reasonable amount.  Please note this is true only for persons not suffering from bulemia or bulianorexia.  Please read below for specific good fats.  

Good fats.  Many people presume that every fat is bad.   There is definitely untrue.  There are fats that are good.  In fact there are fats that are essential.  They are known as essential  fatty acids or EFAs for short.  They are necessary for life.  They can not be made by the human body.  Therefore they needed to be supplemented by either foods or dietary supplements.  They are  what certain vegetable oils are made of.  All cells of every animal including humans need EFAs.  Good fats are needed for the body to help prevent heart disease, reduce inflammation for certain arthritic conditions, especially rheumatoid.  They are necessary too for proper workings of one's cells.

Essential fatty acids of which Omaga3s and Omega6s are a part of act as precursors to prostaglandalins (PGAs).  PGAs are essential to the functioning of th entire human body.  Every organ's production of PGAs is done by the EFAs in that particular organ.  For example the heart functions its own EFAs.  The stomach its own, the liver its own, etc.  The PGAs become part of the cell membrane construction.  Prostaglanadalins are able to boost the immune system, reduce inflammation of some arthritic disorders.  The Omega 6s contain linoleic acid.  Gamma Linolenic acid and Dihomo gamma linolenic acid DG and Arachidonic acid AA. Some EFAs are DHA (docosahexaenoic acid and EPA (eicosapntaenoic acid  reduce the risk of cardiovascular

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