How To know The Good Fats, Bad Fats, And Effect To The Heart

You don’t choose to select when it comes to diet; fats get a bad rap. Research has shown that certain types of fat may play a role in:

• Diabetes
• Cardiovascular disease
• Cancer
• Obesity

Some fats are better for you than others and may even help to boost good health. Knowing the difference can help you determine which fats to avoid and which to eat in moderation.

Research is continuing to evolve on dietary fat, but some facts are clear. Dietary fat, also known as fatty acids, can be found in foods from both plants and animals. Certain fats have been linked to negative effects on heart health, but others have been found to offer significant health benefits.

Fat is as essential to your diet as protein and carbohydrates are in fueling your body with energy. Certain bodily functions also rely on the presence of fat. For example, some vitamins require fat to dissolve into your bloodstream and provide nutrients.

However, the excess calories from eating too much fat of any type can lead to weight gain.

Foods and oils contain a mixture of fatty acids, but the predominant fat makes them more healthy or less healthy.

Two types of fats, saturated fat, and trans fat have been identified as potentially harmful to your health. Most of the foods that contain these types of fats are solid at room temperature, such as:

• Butter
• Margarine
• Shortening
• Beef or pork fat

Trans fat should be avoided, while saturated fats should be eaten very sparingly.

Most saturated fats are animal fats. They’re found in high-fat meats and dairy products.

Saturated fat sources include:

• Fatty cuts of beef, pork, and lamb
• Dark chicken meat and poultry skin
• High-fat dairy foods (whole milk, butter, cheese, sour cream, ice cream)
• Tropical oils (coconut oil, palm oil, cocoa butter)
• Lard

Eating too much saturated fat can increase blood cholesterol levels and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels.

Traditionally, doctors have linked higher saturated fat intake with increased heart disease risks. This idea has been called into question more recently.

According to Harvard University, researchers now think saturated fat may not be as bad as once thought — but it still isn’t the best choice for fats.

A 2015 review of 15 randomized controlled trials looked at saturated fats and heart disease. The researchers concluded that replacing saturated fat in your diet with polyunsaturated fats can reduce your heart disease risk.

While the risk reduction is low, these differences could make a difference in your health.

A 2017 journal article published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine reported that the risks of LDL (bad) cholesterol had previously been overstated, particularly when it negatively affects heart health.

The article recommends comparing your total cholesterol level to your HDL (good) cholesterol level instead. Doctors associate a higher ratio with increased insulin resistance and heart problems.

Trans fat: Avoid when possible

Short for “trans fatty acids,” trans fat appears in foods that contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils. These are the worst fats for you. You might find trans fat in:

• Fried foods (French fries, doughnuts, deep-fried fast foods)
• Margarine (stick and tub)
• Vegetable shortening
• Baked goods (cookies, cakes, pastries)
• Processed snack foods (crackers, microwave popcorn)

Like saturated fat, trans fat can raise LDL (bad) cholesterol, also known as “bad” cholesterol. Trans fat can also suppress HDL (good) cholesterol levels or “good” cholesterol.

Doctors have also linked trans fats to an increased risk of inflammation in the body. This inflammation can cause harmful health effects that may include heart disease, diabetes, and stroke.

Some margarine will contain trans fats if they’re made with hydrogenated ingredients, so make sure always to choose non-hydrogenated versions.

Labeling laws allow food companies to round down to zero and claim “no trans fats” or “zero grams of trans fats” if the amount per serving is less than 0.5 g, despite still containing hydrogenated oils.

It’s important to ignore the front-of-package marketing and always read the ingredient list.

Doctors consider monounsaturated fat and polyunsaturated fat more “heart-healthy” fats. These are fat that are better choices for your diet.

Foods that primarily contain these healthier fats tend to be liquid when they’re at room temperature. An example is vegetable oil.

This type of helpful fat is present in a variety of foods and oils.

Research has consistently shown that eating foods that contain monounsaturated fat can improve your blood cholesterol level and decrease your risk of cardiovascular disease. These foods include:

• Nuts (almonds, cashews, peanuts, pecans)
• Vegetable oils (olive oil, peanut oil)
• Peanut butter and almond butter
• Avocado

Polyunsaturated fat

Polyunsaturated fats are known as “essential fats” because they cannot make them and need to get them from foods. Plant-based foods and oils are the primary sources of this fat.

Like monounsaturated fat, polyunsaturated fat can decrease your risk for heart disease by lowering blood cholesterol levels, according to the American Heart Association.

A certain type of fat, called omega-3 fatty acids, is particularly beneficial for your heart.

Omega-3s appear to not only decrease coronary artery disease and help loaned pressure levels and guard against irregular heart rates. The following types of foods contain omega-3 fatty acids:

• Salmon
• Herring
• Sardines
• Trout
• Walnuts
• Flaxseed
• Chia seeds
• Canola oil

In addition to omega-3 fatty acids, you can find polyunsaturated fat in the following foods, which contain omega-6 fatty acids:

• Tofu
• Roasted soybeans and soy nut butter
• Walnuts
• Seeds (sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds)
• Vegetable oils (corn oil, safflower oil, sesame oil, sunflower oil)
• Soft margarine (liquid or tub)