photo credit: jcoterhals via photopin cc

Including fats in your daily meals may actually help you. The word “Fat” has become synonymous with high cholesterol and being overweight. Everyone from teens to seniors is trying to eliminate fat from their diets. However, including fat in meals not only adds flavor to your favorite dish, it also is beneficial in reducing stored body fat.

According to the book Diet & Health Design, by Cardiac Surgeon Dr. Bill Loughridge, the paradox is that fat is hormonally important in achieving dietary balance. Fat slows the absorption and pathways of glucose into the bloodstream. This, in turn, slows the secretion of insulin, which slows the deposit of stored body fat, actually enhancing the use of the already stored body fat. When fat reaches your small intestine, a hormone named cholecystokinin is released that tells the hunger center of your brain that you have eaten enough food, thus suppressing your appetite. Dr. Loughridge recommends eating in moderation and waiting in between bites to allow for this hormone to trigger appetite suppression.

Various studies have shown that avoiding fat to reduce cholesterol may hurt instead of help. Coronary disease and high cholesterol may increase with the ingestion of carbohydrates (sugars) without a balanced intake of good fat. Try eating a balance diet of 1/3 protein, 1/3 carbs, and 1/3 monounsaturated fats high in Omega 3, 6 & 9. Good fats include oils from olives, fish, nuts, flaxseed, and those delicious avocados. Avoid consuming saturated fats like large portions of fatty red meat, egg yolks, and organ meats that are harmful to your cardiovascular system.