Practices... - Healthy Diet - Fats

Contrary to a large body of mainstream rhetoric circulating specifically through the weight-loss community, fats are absolutely essential to a healthy diet. We seem to have a love/hate relationship with fats. On one hand, we embrace fat-free foods and prepared foods. On the other hand, we are told fats are good for us and are essential to maintain optimum health and well-being. Both, in fact, are true.

Fats are essential for proper homeostasis -- an overall balance within the body. They are needed to transport nutrients and other compounds around the body and facilitate energy storage, vitamin and mineral absorption (particularly A, D, E, and K), hormone synthesis, cell membrane flexibility, organ protection, and body insulation. Our brain is composed primarily of fat and requires the fat found in oils to function properly. Indeed, a number of fats are referred to as "Essential Fatty Acids" and the term is quite literal.

On the other hand, excess, non-essential fat consumption can lead to heart disease, obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, and a variety of cancers. To counter this disturbing relationship, you must balance with those fats that have a beneficial effect on the body.

In general, calories from fat should comprise 15 to 30% of your daily total intake.