All Fats Are So Bad? – Learn what are the "good" fats and improve your health

In this article we will see what are the "good" fats, denomination attributed to them, given the benefits they bring to the body.

 What are monounsaturated fats? 

These fats have the characteristic of being less stable than saturated fats, and at the same time more than the polyunsaturated ones, thus this intermediate point grants certain benefits to them to the health, not shared by the previous ones. This property makes these fatty acids take different forms depending on the temperature of the environment. 

At room temperature they are in a liquid state, while refrigerated they acquire a solid appearance   

Diets with a high content of this type of fat, will be reflected, according to research, the following benefits:

Decreased risk of breast cancerReducing cholesterol levels less risk of a heart attack Weightloss Reduction of pain in patients with arthritisAbdominal Fat Reduction

Monounsaturated fat regulates physiological functions of the organism, including the participation of correct growth and development in children, maintenance of brain health, optimal functioning of the central nervous system.

Monounsaturated fat helps to improve the absorption of nutrients. Among these we find essential elements, like fat soluble vitamins, A, D, E and K. They provide energy and help maintain the good appearance of hair and skin.

Now you will see the sources of monounsaturated fats

Among the most common are:

Olive oil

Avocados

Olivas

Almonds

Macadamia nuts

What are Polyunsaturated Fats? 

This type contains in their chemical composition more than one double bond of the chain of carbon atoms. All fatty acids contain a chain of carbon atoms and hydrogen. The saturated ones are "saturated" with hydrogen atoms, where each carbon atom is attached to one of hydrogen.

Consuming lots of saturated fatty acids can lead to certain health risks. Unsaturated fatty acids do not hold these hydrogen atoms 

If the Monounsaturated are considered as the healthiest, then come the Polyunsaturated. These fatty acids provide energy for muscles, heart and other organs. Also involved in the formation of the cell membrane.  You may sound the term essential fatty acids, because as its name indicates, they are substances that the body does not produce, and therefore they will have to be added through food. 

Within the polyunsaturated fats exist 2 essential fatty acids: Omega 3 Omega 6 It is worth mentioning that for this point, the key is to maintain an optimal ratio of omega 6 VS omega 3 This ratio should be around 2: 1 for proper health. But the reality is not like that, and there are ranges of 10: 1 or even, worse, 20: 1 and 30: 1. 

The reason is due to western food habits, where many foods with a high content of omega 6 and very little of omega 3 are incorporated. So a good way to balance that imbalance would be to opt for some omega 3 supplement