Why You Should Pay Attention to Your Recommended Fat Intake
Less fat, fewer carbs. That’s the mantra of nearly every dieter in America, and yet it may not be the best approach—at least in terms of fat.
A recent study performed by the U.S. government showed that a low-fat diet does not necessarily produce the health benefits that dieters expect. In fact, cutting out fat from your diet can actually leave you in worse shape than where you started.
“Fat makes you fat, right? Wrong,” says Dr. Mehmet Oz, the physician known for his television show and appearances on ‘Oprah.’ “Eating a small amount of fat actually helps you feel fuller faster…Not only that, eating the right fats aids in the absorption of healthy vitamins.”
As Oz mentions, there are a whole host of benefits that come from eating a diet that includes fat in the right proportions. Here’s a look at eight ways that fat—in the right proportions—can actually be good for you.
1. Burns Undesirable Fat
Some fat actually fights fatty buildups in the body. It may seem counterintuitive, but research suggests that monounsaturated fats can help burn fat cells and break down the buildup of fat that can occur near the center of your body.
Monounsaturated fats are particularly adept at burning belly fat. According to the March 2007 issue of the Journal for Diabetes Care, eating a source of these fatty acids increases your basal metabolic rate and allows your body to burn fat more quickly.
2. Keeps You Full Longer
As Oz said, eating small portions of fat will actually help you to reduce your caloric intake. Monounsaturated fats, like those found in olive oils and avocados, will increase your feeling of fullness and keep you from snacking between meals.
“[Fat] triggers satiety signals causing you to eat less overall,” Oz explained. “They won’t raise bad blood cholesterol levels and may even reduce the risk of a heart attack.”
Combined with fat burning, eating the right types of fat can actually help you to lose weight. Along with a balanced diet, exercise, and an effective weight loss pill, you’ll be on the road to attaining your weight loss goals. If you need help choosing the right dietary supplement for you, you can check out http://www.loseweightfast.net for more tips and reviews on effective diet pills.
3. Puts You In A Better Mood
Eating a low-fat diet can actually bring you down. According to a study recently published in the British Journal of Nutrition, participants who ate less than 25 percent of their calories in fat showed increased signs of hostility and depression.
Fat is used in the body to regulate hormones and keep serotonin balanced. Low-fat diets, by contrast, cause hormonal swings and decrease serotonin levels in the brain, leading to aggression, depression, and suicidal behavior.
4. Improves Brain Health
If you’ve had any experience with or family history of Alzheimer’s disease, you know that omega-3 fatty acids are believed to ward against cognitive decline.
“It seems pretty clear that if you’re picking a diet to prevent Alzheimer’s disease with the knowledge we have today, you would pick a diet rich in fish, fruits, and vegetables and low in [saturated] fat,” William Thies of the Alzheimer’s Association told WebMD.
5. Promotes Strong Bones
Omega 6 essential fatty acids—and surprisingly saturated fats—actually help your body to absorb calcium. This allows bones to build strong defenses against deterioration and conditions like arthritis and osteoporosis.
In fact, many clinical studies have shown that overweight or obese people actually have better bone health than normal weight individuals—likely because of their fat consumption.
6. Allows For Healthier Skin
The same Omega 6 essential fatty acids that help promote bone health are also play a key role in forming healthy skin cells.
Fatty acids are also recommended by dermatologists to patients with conditions like dermatitis and eczema.
7. Boosts Vision
Certain fats like omega-3s are essential in helping your body create retinal tissue. This tissue keeps your vision strong and if you don’t eat enough omega-3s, your vision is likely to suffer.
According to one 2009 study from the National Eye Institute, participants who had the highest level of omega-3 intake were 30 percent less likely than the rest of participants to develop macular degeneration over a 12-year period.
8. Reduces PMS Symptoms
Besides counteracting negative thought patterns, as explained above, eating fat during menstruation can relieve PMS symptoms like bloating and breast tenderness.
Planning Your Diet
Every person’s weight loss needs are different and it will likely take some tinkering to formulate a diet that is effective for you. However, it’s important to keep things in moderation and remembering to include fat as part of your nutrition plan will go a long way in restoring you to health.
