How to tell Good Fats and Bad Fats

When you think of fats, it is hard to think that there are such things as good fats. However, this is true. It is very important that we all learn as much as we can about fats before we start thinking about losing fats or losing weight.

Our bodies need fats to function. Without fats, many vital organs like our heart, lungs, eyes and brain cannot function properly, just to name a few. The problem is not fats, the real problem in most cases is too much fats exist in the body.

So, over-indulgence aside, we also need to understand the difference between Good and Bad fats. How do you tell them apart?

Generally, good fats contain essential fatty acids, does not increase our “bad cholesterol” (LDL) levels by much and can be considered the healthy choice.

Bad fats on the other hand, are fats that increase our overall cholesterol levels by much and more importantly, increase the bad cholesterol (LDL) levels by a disproportionately larger amount.

When your body has a good balance of good and bad cholesterol, all is well. But an imbalance, especially an accumulation of bad cholesterol can lead to several health problems.

Following s a very simplified list of some good and bad fats.

Good Fats

Unsaturated fats are generally considered to be good fats. They are divided in to two kinds – monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.

Monounsaturated fats: these types of fats lower the total cholesterol and the bad cholesterol (LDL) levels while increasing the good cholesterol (HDL) levels. Examples include: Nuts like peanuts, walnuts, almonds, pistachios, avocado, canola and olive oil. Monounsaturated fats have also been found to help controlling body fat, and hence, aid weight loss.

Polyunsaturated fats: these types of fats also lower total cholesterol and the bad cholesterol (LDL) levels. The most common source of these types of fats are salmon and fish oil, as well as corn, soy, safflower and sunflower oils. The much touted Omega 3 fatty acids belong to this group of good fats.

Bad Fats

Saturated fats are generally considered to be bad fats. There is a modern derivative known as Trans Fats which has become the talk of the town simply because it is so harmful to human health. Trans fats are created by a process known as hydrogenation and was originally intended to help fats last longer in packaged foods. Unfortunately, it is now know that trans fats is one of the main culprits for increasing the LDL levels. Worse, because of its twisted form, trans fats are hardly suitable for our bodies to assimilate and use. While saturated fats are bad, trans fats are much worse. Many commercially packaged foods and fried foods contain trans fats.