Guide : 5 Surprising Benefits Of Eating More Fat

There are tons of different diet tips and advice being flung around. Each and every diet strategy promises to yield the best results. Each diet has a different premise and different concept. However, there is one common thing in all of them. An outright ostracization of fats from the daily food intake. Fat has been pointed out as the anti-health monster that is responsible for wide range of health problems ranging from high cholesterol to obesity.

Yes, fat is responsible for all the conditions that are associated with it. But, only if you are consuming fat in excess. If taken in moderation, it won’t have any negative effect on your health. In fact, the recent research has backed fat as an important component of daily food intake. It has several health benefits and plays an important role in several bodily functions.

And, obesity for which fat is being readily blamed isn’t usually caused by the consumption of fats. The real culprits are readily available carbs and sugars, including glucose found in fruits and juices. So, fat is not the monster, it is believed to be. It has many benefits such as:

• It Is Essential For Your Brain Health

Your brain is made of nearly 60 percent fat. Yes, you read it right. And, a no-fat or low fat diet deprives your brain of the necessary materials it needs to function properly. This is one of the reasons why omega-3 fats are so important during pregnancy when the baby’s brain and nervous system are developing.

The fats play a key role in keeping your mind sharp and your moods in balance. And, I am not just talking about the essential fatty acids and omega 3’s that are readily found in food like salmon, avocados and nuts. Some of the saturated fats are also important including natural animal fats. Yes, you have been told that they aren’t good for your health. But, it is time for you to start incorporating them in your diet for improved cognitive functions. The brain relies on the smooth signaling between nerve cells — and the body needs new supply of fatty acids to refresh these connections.

The benefits of fats for the brain has been backed by numerous studies. In a study of 1600 Dutch men and women, the researchers found that those who regularly ate fish scored higher on an array of tests for memory, psychomotor speed, cognitive flexibility and overall cognition.

Also, essential vitamins such as A, D, E and K are not water soluble and need fat to get transported and absorbed by the body. These vitamins are elemental for mental health and for many vital body organs.

The coating of the lungs is made up of a substance that is almost entirely composed of saturated fat. In fact, prematurely born babies, who are lacking this substance are given something called “surfactant,” which is mostly composed of saturated fats to keep their lungs functioning properly. Without the proper intake of saturated fats, the functioning of the lungs can be compromised. Even, the scientists and researchers are now working to find whether there is a link between the low consumption of saturated fat and Asthma due to the breakdown of this fatty layer.

The saturated fats found in butter and coconut oil plays an important role in your body’s immune system. The loss of saturated fatty acids in the white blood cells affects their ability to recognize and fight foreign invaders, such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi. Also, fat is the key in production of major hormones, especially in hormones that are essential for controlling allergic reactions and other important bodily functions. Additionally, the fatty acids found in the coconut oil are beneficial in several other ways. Along with giving a boost to your immune system and the metabolism, it lowers cholesterol and can reduce the risk of heart disease. Also, it can be helpful for those suffering from diabetes, thyroid issues, ulcers, Colitis, Crohns and IBS, HIV and Chronic Fatigue. Essentially, the medium chain fatty acids found in coconut oil are anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-parasitic and kill fungus.

The essential fatty acids are key elements in the natural skin care. The essential fatty acids like omega-3s and omega-6s are the building blocks of healthy cell membranes. Also, these polyunsaturated fats are tasked with the production of skin’s natural oil barrier, which plays a key role in keeping skin hydrated, plumper, and younger looking. And, your body can’t produce essential fatty acids on its own, which means the only source is your daily food intake. The deficiency of these fats could make your skin – dry, inflamed, and prone to whiteheads and blackheads.

The essential fatty acids can be the best natural skin care powerhouses. The research has found that they can reduce sun sensitivity in skin with the process called photodermatitis. Also, it can reduce the inflammation associated with acne.

The key is to have a right balance of fatty acids in your diet. Often, it is seen that diets are woefully short on omega-3s and too rich in omega-6s. To get the balance right, you need to know the source of the fatty acids. So, remember omega-3s are found in salmon, mackerel, flax, safflower oil, walnuts, sardines and soy. Whereas, Omega-6s are generally found in baked goods, cooking oils, poultry and grains.

The numerous research and studies have proved that saturated fats, which have been long associated with heart disease has number of health benefits. Surprisingly, it has no effect on your heart health. In a research that analyzed findings of 72 published studies on fats and heart disease, the same was proved. It took a look at the effect of different types of fats on heart health of 600,000 subjects spread across 18 countries. It was found that saturated fats and monounsaturated fats had no apparent negative impact on your heart. However, it was found that you should steer clear of trans fats.