Advanced warning - this post is for those interested in a bit of science. What are commonly known as 'fats' are actually called fatty acids. These play an important part in a balanced diet and everybody needs a sufficient amount, but there are 'good' and 'bad' types of fat. Understanding the differences between the two types, and what foods they are found in will help you make healthy food choices.
The 'bad' fat is Saturated. Labelled 'bad' as it increases levels of LDL (low density lipoproteins). This is linked to high cholesterol, which is one of the factors that contributes to coronary heart disease. A saturated fatty acid is a row of carbon atoms bonded, with single bonds, together with hydrogen atoms attached to each carbon.
As you can see the carbon chains are completely and evenly filled with hydrogen atoms - in other words they are saturated with hydrogen. They also have a carboxyl group at the end (COOH), which is what makes them an acid (hence fatty acid). These fats are normally solid at room temperature, and found is diary and meat.
The 'good' fat is Unsaturated. These are thought to lower cholesterol as they stimulate HDL (high density lipoproteins) and can be positive for the health of your heart. They also have the carboxyl group, but some of the carbon-carbon bonds are double. The 'mono' indicates a fatty acid with only one double bond. When you hear about 'poly-unsaturated', they have several double bonds.
Unsaturated fats are liquid at room temperature. Nuts and seeds, as well as seed oils are a good source - start to consider a handful nut seeds as a snack instead of the chocolate bar!
Why does this matter? Your heart. It beats constantly, bumping oxygen-rich blood to muscles and the brain. Thousands of times a day, for your entire life. But the heart itself needs an oxygen supply to survive. Over many years, saturated fats can build up in arteries of the heart. This clogs the pathway and prevents oxygenated blood getting to your heart - effectively starving it!
A leading killer in the western world are heart attacks. Flora have made a wonderful infographic that is below. Print it off, show it to your family and stick it to your fridge.
Everything in moderation,
~ DM
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