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04/07/2007: "The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly Fat"

Well we know, we are supposed to avoid Trans Fatty Acids. So what is it and why is it bad for us? Also, did you know that they can label it several different ways? Trans fats are “manufactured” by pushing hydrogen into vegetable oil to make it a solid. That is why they are referred to as hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils. These then have a longer shelf life, which works great in our processed foods.

The problem is that our bodies don’t know what to do with these fats. They are solid with extra hydrogen so they stick around and clog up the works. These chemically altered fats shut down the electrical field of our cells, destroying cell membranes. Healthy fats have an electron cloud that allows them to bind with oxygen and proteins to form the basis of our energy production. Since hydrogenation destroys the electron cloud, the fake-fats give your heart trouble by blocking circulation and also messes with cell renewal. So do your best to stay away from the worst offenders such as chips, french fries and donuts.

Heating vegetable oils high in polyunsaturated fats causes a chemical reaction that produces trans fatty acid. Because of this, you should choose your oils carefully. If you are frying, use oils that can handle the heat without becoming dangerous. These include coconut, sesame, sunflower and peanut. Medium heat oils are corn oil, pumpkinseed oil and walnut oil. Olive oil needs to be used cold or slightly warm and drizzled over food, never heated! Again, olive oil should never be used for cooking.

Olive oil is good for you because it has the highest content of monounsaturated fats and great antioxidant value. Fish oil has the most beneficial omega-3 fatty acids but contains an increasing amount of mercury. Avocados are also an excellent source of fats.

Bar-none, the best oil is coconut oil. Coconut oil is the only oil that does not go through a chemical change when heated. It is high in lauric acid, which is only found in breast milk. The body uses lauric acid to destroy viruses, bacteria, yeast, fungus, parasites and mold. In addition, it is high in Medium Chain Fatty Acids (MCFAs) that are easily digested and can benefit the immune system. Other oils contain Long Chain Fatty Acids (LCFAs) that are hard on your pancreas and liver and your body stores them as fat.