Saturated Fats: Some info requested

[Mikus]

Hey guys, I know that I want to keep my saturated fat intake low, but that's all I know about them. I want to know why they are so bad So i was wondering if someone could provide some insight as to what they are, why they are not good for you, and how much is too mucH?

thanks for the information in advance, Mike

Edited: Made it more understandable, i couldn't even understand it heh.

 

[Andy13]

Good question.

Basically, there are fatty acids in our diet that provide us with precursors to singaling molecules, etc. These (unsat fats) are important because we cannot make some of them. Certain unsaturated fats, when consumed in a reasonable manner, are quite beneficial for health. On the other hand, saturated fats are nothing new. We don't need to eat saturated fat because our body produces it. Too much fat in your diet can cause all sorts of health problems over time.


Andy

 

[Mikus]

Thanks for the information, it really helped. Mike

 

[sawastea]

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/fitoils.htm
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/david47.htm
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/issa43.htm
http://www.howstuffworks.com/fat.htm

 

[sh4dowf4lcon]

good post andy and sawastea ---> K for you bros

 

[Mikus]

Same for me, very helpful the both of you. K for both of you, and thanks very much.

Mike

 

[sh4dowf4lcon]

Basicly there are fatty acids in our diet which provide us with precursors to a singaling, ahhh nevermind.

 

[tiger88]

foods like walnuts and almonds have good fats and also a little flax seed oil does the trick as well


omega 3s!

 

[Mikus]

i take flax seed oil...is it possible to get too many of the 'good fats'?

 

[AlphaWolf93]

I'd say that it's much more likely that you will get too much Omega-6 (Arachidonic Acid) which is a precursor to prostaglandins that lead to water retention, inflammation (arthritis) and sticky platelets. This is truly the main problem with the American diet. We get too much Omega-6 and little to almost no Omega 3. That is why supplementing it is so vital. Try to keep your intakes to the point where your ratio of Omega-6:Omega-3 is the natural level of 4:1 or 3:1.

There are good saturated fats, especially the ones with MCT's (Medium Chain Triglycerides) which actually provide energy, boost metabolism and are absorbed quickly by the body to be quickly converted to energy.

Here's the first thing you have to do though - cut out completely any usage of Trans-fatty acids. Fortunately, this fact is becoming more well-known. Anything that is hydrogenated or partially-hydrogenated. Get rid of them, they inhibit androgenic process in the body and actually lead to health problems because of their negative effects on cellular chemistry.

Also, lower usage of or completely cut out any and all usage of vegetable oils. They are very high in Omega-6 and have little to no Omega-3.
A big problem with vegetable oils is that they are extracted at high heats, which causes them to go rancid easily and they are full of free-radicals. Free radicals attack the body's cells causing oxidative damage that leads to pre-mature aging, cancer, high-cholesterol and other problems.