Not All Dietary Fats Are Created Equal

You have all read the food labels which are printed with big, black, bold lettering Fat Free. Well, fat free is good, sort of. But something that we really need to be aware of is that not all fats are created equal. There are good fats and there are bad fats. We actually NEED the good ones and if we try to cut ALL fat out of our diets we are leaving ourselves open to some major health risks.

Understand that some of the vitamins that are NECESSARY to good health are fat soluble vitamins. These vitamins are A, D, E and K. While the other water soluble vitamins are easily dissolved in fluids and carried throughout the system, fat soluble vitamins NEED fat in order to be absorbed through intestinal walls. If you have no dietary intake of fat, those nutrients are simply carried on through the digestive tract and eliminated without being utilized.

Fat is also a MAJOR source of energy for the body. The problem is that we need to be aware of which fats are good and which fats are bad. Try to avoid fats labeled as “saturated fats” or “trans fats.” This means fats such as butter, lard, solid shortening and certain oils should be avoided whenever possible. You CAN use oils such as olive, corn or canola oils.

Remember, while there is a lot of emphasis on fat-free diets, you really do need SOME fat in order to utilize nutrients that are ESSENTIAL to overall good health. You have heard that old saying, “Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water.” Well, don’t throw the good fats out with the bad.

2010 Effective Colon Cleanser