The Truth About Fats in our Daily Diet

July 13, 2015 - PRLog -- Why we need healthy fats?

·         Fat protects our vital organs and provides insulation.

·         Fat makes up our cell membranes.

·         Fat provides a secondary source of fuel for our cells.

·         Fat supports brain health and is a vital component of the myelin sheath which covers part of our
nerve cells and supports a healthy nervous system.

Trans Fatty Acids-The BAD Fats

·         Trans-fats are by products of the hydrogenation process and are found in margarine, cookies, pastries, chips, breads and crackers.

·         Created by the food industry to produce inexpensive spreadable products and to prevent unsaturated fats (liquid) from spoiling too quickly.

·         In Canada a product can be labelled as containing zero (0) trans-fat as long as it contains less than 0.5g of Trans fats per serving.

·         Tran’s fats do not occur naturally and are harmful substances that our body cannot break down causing them to build up in body tissue increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Saturated, Monounsaturated and Polyunsaturated Fats

Most fats and oils have a combination of saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats but some have a higher % of a specific type.

Saturated Fats

·         These fats are hard at room temperature and are found in butter, coconut oil and animal fat. Due to their molecular structure these fats are very stable at high temperatures and are ideal for cooking.

Monounsaturated Fats

·         These oils are liquid at room temperature and are found in plant based oils such as olive oil, avocado oil, canola oil, grape seed oil, sesame oil and almond oil. Due to their molecular structure these oils are still fairly stable for cooking. Note that over time when exposed to air or heat these oils will go rancid. When shopping for these oils look for oils that come in a dark bottle and that are cold pressed plus have an expiry date. Most good quality olive oils will have both a harvest date and an expiry date plus some oils will also state the highest temperature the oil can withstand for cooking. A diet rich in monounsaturated fats has been linked to lower levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol and higher
levels of HDL (good) cholesterol.

·         Polyunsaturated Fats

·         Due to their molecular structure these oils are liquid at room temperature and are not stable at high temperatures. These oils are not suitable for cooking.

PhysioMax Wellness in Burlington Ontario provides the best nutrition plan for their patients. Our Nutritionist Annette Fenton is very knowledgeable about nutrition plan for patients who require special dietary needs. This multidisciplinary clinic in Burlington Ontario also provides Physiotherapy, Acupuncture, Osteopathic and Massage Therapy in order to tend to any kind of injuries. Please contact us or visit www.physiomaxwellness.ca for more detailed information.