Why some fats are good for our health

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Written by Staff Reporter

Thursday, 11 October 2007

While most people are well aware that having too much fats in their diets can be not only bad for their waistlines but, their health, what people can sometimes forget is that some fats are actually good for you. According to Nutritional Therapist, Sandra O’ Callaghan (BSc Nutritional Medicine) many people forget the importance of some fats and she says that it’s important to know the difference between which fats are good and which are bad so that people can ensure they eat a balanced diet.

“Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids are good for your health; these two types of fatty acids are vital to human health and since the body cannot make them, they must be provided in the diet,” she said.

She explained that Omega 3 and 6 relax blood vessels, help to lower blood pressure, improve nerve and immune function and can even decrease inflammation in the body as well as ensuring that the blood is kept thin which prevents clots and blockages and for these reasons she says it’s vital that people ensure they include these fats in their diet.

“The Irish diet is generally higher in Omega 6 fatty acids than Omega 3 and a balance between the two is essential for long-term health. Omega 6 fatty acids are found in meat, eggs and dairy produce while Omega 3 fatty acids are found in oily fish , soya beans, walnuts and flaxseeds and it’s vital that people ensure they eat plenty of these foods to ensure they are eating a balanced diet,” she said.

Continuing, Sandra O’ Callaghan explained that saturated fats and trans fatty fats are the ones which can be problematic for people and highlighted how saturated fats found in meats, eggs, dairy and seafood can actually raise cholesterol while trans fats, which occur when oils are hydrogenated can also increase cholesterol and have been linked to heart disease.

“The best way to ensure you are not eating too many of these bad fats is to take the time to read food labels to avoid any extra undesirable fats rather than avoiding all fats, some of which afterall, can be good for our health,” she concluded.

For further information contact Sandra O’ Callaghan at Nutritional Therapy, Unit 4B, Riverhouse, Blackpool Retail Park or call 087-7764811.

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