The Definition of Fat
One of the Five Classes of Nutrients in Food Combining
Fat is a very important but misunderstood part of the human diet. However when it is placed in the proper context it harmoniously becomes part of a healthy diet.
In order to plan out a proper diet it is important to understand all of the nutrients. Fat is a vital part of a healthy diet and needs to be understood if it is to be properly integrated. Fats contain important components that are vital to proper functioning of the body's many systems.
With so much dietary confusion these days fat has gotten a bad reputation. Unfortunately it is easy for many people to go to extremes in their dietary habits. The best way to resolve this is to, as Sun Tzu said, "Know yourself and know your enemy and you will win every battle".
First it is important to understand what fats are. Fats or lipids are substances that are insoluble in water and present in most cells. Fats are contained in most foods and almost always found together with protein. To digest and absorb fats the body utilizes bile and pancreatic juice. The digestion of fats doesn't begin until they reach the duodenum, the upper part of the small intestine, and is comparatively separate from the rest of the digestive process.
Fats are grouped according to their origin. The three groups are animal, vegetable and dairy. The three main types of fats are saturated, unsaturated and transsaturated.
Saturated fats will boost cholesterol levels and their excessive consumption can lead to a variety of health problems. Some of these are atherosclerosis, cancer of the breast, bowel and pancreas and of course obesity. It is recommended that the consumption of saturated fat not exceed 10% of the daily fat intake. Trans fats are an artificially derived fat that many experts say should be eliminated completely from the diet. It is impossible for the body to breakdown trans fats.
Unsaturated fats come in two types, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated. Monounsaturated fats are typically found in vegetable oils such as olive oil. Polyunsaturates are rich in oily fish such as mackerel and sardine and in some vegetable oils like soy and rapeseed. Unsaturated fats contain the omega fatty acids. Omega-9 fatty acids are found in monounsaturated fats while omega-3 and omega-6 are found in polyunsaturates. Omega-3 and -6 are an important dietary constituent. They are first converted into gamma-linolenic acids then into prostaglandins which are vital in preventing heart disease. Adults need at least 4g/ 1/8oz of Omega-6 a day up to 25 g/ 1oz.
The other misunderstanding comes from cholesterol. The liver produces cholesterol and it is vital for proper functioning of the metabolism. It needs to be noted that there is a difference between dietary cholesterol and blood cholesterol. There isn't necessarily a link between dietary cholesterol and the level in the blood. It is probably more related to overloading the liver by giving it too much too process in the way of toxins, chemicals and such. The main issue is to limit the consumption of saturated fat.
Fat is an essential part of the diet but like all things it must be consumed in moderation and in the proper context of a complete diet.
