Can ‘Better fats’ Benefit Heart Health?

According to a national survey conducted on behalf of the ‘American Heart Foundation’ less than half American citizens are aware of the health benefits of consuming ‘better fats’ such as polyunsaturated and monounsaturated.

This is rather alarming considering that cardiovascular diseases such as heart disease and stroke claim approximately a shocking 870,000 lives per year.

Polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats are far healthier as they can lower bad cholesterol in your blood – low density lipoproteins (LDL) thus lowering your risk of coronary heart disease.

Polyunsaturated fats are better than saturated and trans-fats as they contain several double-bonded (unsaturated) carbons in the molecule. These fats also contain essential fatty acids that the human body does not naturally produce such as omega 3 and omega 6 which are crucial for brain function as well as optimal growth and body development.

Monosaturated fats when eaten in moderation can also be beneficial to health as they contain nutrients which aid and maintain body cells. They are also high in vitamin E, an essential antioxidant vitamin.

As these types of fat are good for me can I eat as much as I want of these?

All fats contain the same amount of calories per gram and therefore even the ‘better fats’ are best consumed in moderation. And just the same as ‘harmful fats’ such as trans-fat and saturated fat, your fat intake should be no more than 30% of your recommended daily allowance.

Improve your health today, it’s never too late – by switching to a diet containing more of the ‘better fats’ which will help to stave off fat related diseases such as strokes, diabetes, and heart disease.