Tag: Good Fats

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Essential Fatty Acids and Weight Loss


Essential Fatty Acids and Weight Loss

Being overweight can lead to a world of negative consequences. It can affect your mental state and your physical health. Obesity and depression go hand in hand in many cases. And it’s not even just depression – the same is true of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, asthma, skin conditions and even certain cancers. If you’re overweight, it truly is in your best interest to do something about it as soon as you possibly can.

Certain essential fatty acids can help with just this. Doesn’t it sound strange that FATTY acids can help you lose weight? Well, strange as it may sound, it’s completely true.

What are Essential Fatty Acids?

Essential Fatty Acids and Weight LossEssential fatty acids (EFAs) are known as good fats because they help to improve your health in a variety of ways. We can’t synthesize them on our own, so we have to get them through food sources. They are basically long chain fatty acids that are unsaturated. EFAs can be derived from oleic, linoleic, and linolenic acids. Omega 3 fatty acids and Omega 6 fatty acids fall into the essential category. Omega 9s are important for our health, but they’re not classified as essential because our bodies can manufacture small amounts of it.

Most people are deficient in Omega 3s, while consuming an excessive amount of Omega 6s. Bring your body into balance and burn more fat by consuming additional Omega 3s.

Omega 3 fatty acids increase your metabolic rate when you consume them consistently. A few simple changes to your diet and you’ll burn more calories all day long – even when you’re sleeping. In addition to that, they prevent some fat from forming in the first place. People who eat fatty fish have less of their blood sugar converted to fat. And the amount of enzymes that metabolize fat are increased as well.

Omega 3 for Muscle growth and Metabolization

These fatty acids will also help with muscle growth, by encouraging the metabolism of protein. When protein is metabolized, it’s broken down into amino acids before it can be used by the body’s muscles. Since Omega 3s improve this process, muscles have access to more of the amino acids they need to repair themselves and grow.

Maybe you’re thinking that you don’t really care about growing muscles, but if you’re interested in losing fat, it’s something you should consider. Muscles burn calories around the clock, just to live. The more muscle you have, the more calories you’re going to burn. You’re boosting your metabolism, making weight loss that much easier on you. Plus you don’t even have to bulk up if you don’t want to. Larger muscles don’t necessarily have to obvious. Every little gain makes a difference when it comes to fat burning.

Another thing these good fats will do is help you to feel fuller faster. It provides the nutrients your body actually needs, so your brain gets the signal that you’re satisfied sooner. You consume less calories and still feel just as full.

Omega 3 and Cell Oxygen

But Omega 3s don’t stop there. They also provide your body with the tools to better oxygenate your cells. When your cells are adequately oxygenated, you’ll find that your energy levels increase. You’ll be able to push harder during workouts. This is important because you’ll burn a lot more fat by working out furiously than you will be working out leisurely. You’ll also be more likely to be naturally active throughout the day as a result of this increased energy. That’s good news, considering the fact that people who move around throughout the day are more likely to be slim than people spend a lot of time sitting around, even if they hit the gym for an hour everyday!

So, how can you get more of these awesome fatty acids in your diet? Look to coldwater fish such as salmon, herring and mackerel.  These type of fatty fish both improve your health and help with weight loss, while pleasing your tastebuds at the same time! Smaller amounts are also found in meat and eggs. Avacados and most seeds are good plant based sources of some Omega 3s, also. If you suspect you’re not getting enough via your diet, you may want to consider a krill or fish oil supplement.

So, enjoy those Omega 3s a little more often because these special fatty acids will do you body a lot of good. You’ll be rewarded with more energy, clearer thoughts, a healthier body and a slimmer waistline!

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Weight Loss Exercise

Omega 3 Benefits outweigh Mercury Concerns



Last week one study said that Omega 3 vitamin benefits were overstated. Today another university study says that Omega benefits outweigh mercury concerns.

Confusing? I agree. Lets look at studies but always do what long term we know that is right. Eat good healthy food.

A team of researchers has conducted a study which found that the health benefits of fish outweigh the negative impacts when consumers choose wisely.

Healthy Salmon Steak

Healthy Salmon Steak

The joint study out of Sweden and Finland aimed to create a risk-benefit model that would shed light on the risk of mercury consumption, versus the value of omega-3 fatty acids, which have been linked to everything from heart health to cognitive function and improved eyesight.

Published in the October issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the study examined mercury levels and omega-3 concentrations in the hair and blood samples of 361 Swedish men and 211 men from Finland, all of whom had suffered from a heart attack.

Is there Much to Worry About?

While methyl mercury in fish may, indeed, pose a health risk, even a small change in fish consumption was found to prevent 7 percent of heart attacks in men, as long as mercury levels remained low.

Eat fish, but avoid large predatory species like pike and perch which contain a lot more mercury than smaller ones.

The Food and Drug Administration also offers a consumer’s guide to different types of fish,

  • Advising against the consumption of shark, swordfish, King mackerel and tilefish for their high mercury content.
  • Five of the most commonly eaten types of seafood low in mercury are shrimp, canned light tuna, salmon, pollock and catfish.
  • Eat up to 12 ounces (the equivalent of two average meals) a week of fish and shellfish that are low in mercury.
  • Opt for canned light tuna over albacore tuna, which contains more mercury.

Do you eat a lot of fish? I know that I do not but should really look at eating more. Fish is high in good fats like Omega 3‘s and more importantly it helps to diversify our diet and make it fuller and richer which is good for most people.

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Weight Loss Exercise

Why You Need Fat to Lose Weight

Why you need fat to lose weight if you already have to much fat? If you read any type of healthy living guide you will be told that 25% –  30% of your total calories should come from fat. If you are eating around 1,800 calories per day this is 250 fat calories each and every day. so it is important to know what and why you need fat to lose weight.

The key to eating this amount of fat each day without health problems is to choose the right type of fat. Fats are classified into two main groups the good fats and the bad ones.

The Good Fats

Why You Need Fat to Lose Weight

Unsaturated fats are classified as the Good fats and can be split into two groups Monounsaturated Fats and Polyunsaturated Fats. Monounsaturated fats help raise good cholesterol and lower bad cholesterol. This type of fat also works to prevent a build up of fat in your arteries and helps reduce that unwanted and dangerous belly fat.

The best sources for unsaturated fats are olive oil, olives, canola oil, almonds, peanuts, cashews, sesame seeds, peanut butter and avocadoes.

Polyunsaturated fats are those which contain omega 3 fatty acids. Omega 3 helps to boost your brain function, improves your moods and strengthens your immune system. Omega 6 fatty acids are important for keeping your skin and eyes in healthy condition.

Good sources of Omega 3 are found in fish like herring and salmon and in walnuts, flax seed and tofu. A good source of Omega 6 is in corn and safflower oil along with corn fed chicken and beef. Your goal should be to eat more Omega 3 sources of fat and only small amounts of Omega 6, as too much of this can lead to heart disease.

The Bad Fats

Saturated fats are commonly known as the bad fats. Consuming too many of these types of fat can lead to high cholesterol levels and heart disease. You may be eating far to much saturated fats and that is why you need fat to lose weight with only unsaturated fats

It is easy to see saturated fats as they are seen in hard sources. For instance in chicken skin and on bacon, your best bet to limit your intake of saturated fat is to simply remove as much as possible before cooking or eating. Other sources of saturated fat are cream, 2% milk, coconuts and palm oil.

Trans Fats are probably the worst culprit on the list when it comes to bad fats. Trans Fats are pretty much man made. These are the fats that manufacturers add to foods to prolong their shelf life. Trans fats raise bad cholesterol levels (LDL) and lower good levels (HDL). These fats are totally responsible for causing heart disease!

You will find Trans Fats in shortening, margarine, crackers, cookies, chips and all processed foods.

Now you understand what fat is and the difference between good and bad fats. We can move on to why your body needs fat and why it helps and why you need fat to lose weight when it comes to losing weight.

Why You Need Fat to Lose Weight

Fat is a wonderful source of energy. Each gram of fat provides your body with 9 calories of energy. Protein and carbohydrates only provide your body with 4 calories.

Fat is responsible for keeping your cells healthy. Each cell is surrounded by a fatty membrane, without this your cells would not work properly. Your nerve fibers are also surrounded by fat. The fat acts as insulation and protection and actually allows messages to be transmitted throughout your body faster.

Certain vitamins require fat to be absorbed by your body effectively. This includes vitamins A, D, E and K which your intestines require daily.

Your body uses fat to regulate its sex hormones and other bodily functions. You will notice this in girls who are so thin that they do not menstruate.

Fat acts as a protection for your body. It helps to keep you warm in the winter. Leaner people often feel the cold more than those who are heavier. Fat is also responsible for keeping your skin smooth and glowing. Dry, flaky skin is often a sign of a fatty acid deficiency.

Your heart, kidneys and liver need to be protected and insulated and this is done by fat. This layer of fat helps to protect your organs from injury and keeps them in place.

Fat and Weight Loss

When you combine protein with fat you have the makings of a fast weight loss formula. Of course you must be careful of how much and which type of fat you eat.

The combination of protein and fat makes you feel fuller longer. You will experience less hunger pangs. The other benefit is that your blood sugar will be more stable. You won’t be bothered by sweet cravings, feeling light headed or shaky or suddenly feeling as though you are starving.

A good protein and fat meal would be a meal that consists of scrambled egg with ham. When cooking the eggs add peppers, mushrooms and onions. This is a great breakfast or brunch on the weekends. You will feel more energized all morning and be able to go about your daily tasks with gusto.

So remember that fat provides your body with more energy than protein and works to keep you feeling full. The foods to avoid when losing weight or just for living a healthy lifestyle are:

  • Refined foods
  • Refined sugar
  • Foods high in carbohydrates like bread and white flours
  • Processed oils like margarine
  • Hard fats

Smoking, stress and lack of exercise are all causes of heart disease, diabetes and other ailments. Take steps to include more exercise and reduce your stress levels.

Conclusion – Why You Need Fat to Lose Weight

While certain fats can be detrimental to your health the good fats are required to keep your body in good shape and health. By limiting your fat intake and watching which type of fat you are consuming, you will start to lose weight and feel healthy again. A lot comes down to why you need fat to lose weight

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