Thursday, January 29, 2009

Eating to Lose Body Fat, Some Facts About Fat

By Ricardo d Argence

Today, we are constantly bombarded with offers selling the latest fat loss plan or gadget. From medications and drink concoctions to tiny magnetic devices, each targeting the same thing: body fat. Sounds good, right? Getting rid of fat from our bodies either by burning it off through physical activity or taking it our fo our diets. The body actually needs fat for its processes and requires fat consumption in order to remain healthy. Yes, you heard correctly.

It is important that we understand that a small amout of fat is actually good for us, while we are all trying desperately to lose excessive amounts of weight. Fat cells are essential to hormone regulation, storing energy, and providing cushioning for our internal organs. The problem then is not in the presence of fat but the amount. The three percent threshold is when a necessary part of the body becomes dangerous,when we cross.

Your diet basically makes available to your body two kinds of fat: good fat or bad fat. The so-called good fats are the polyinsaturated and monounsaturated types, while the so-called bad fats are the saturated and trans fat types. The latter we need to avoid while the former is an essential part of a balanced diet. Omega-3 fatty acids are essential to the processes of the human body, but they have to be ingested, as the body does not manufacture them. Therefore, we must get it from our diet.

You should be familiar with the kinds of fat contained in different foods in order to get the good fats your body needs. Examples of good fat foods are nuts, avocados, sunflower seeds and fish oil.

In deep fat fried foods and heavily preserved foods will be contained the kind of fat you should avoid. When we eat high levels of saturated or tran's fats we can run into health problems in a hurry a short list of examples would lood something like eggs, cheese, french fries and potato chips.

Trans fats provide a doubly whammy to the body by increasing the amount of bad cholesterol while lowering the among of good cholesterol.

Therefore, in addition to adding pounds around your midsection, you realize that fat storage may adversely impact your health. Besides the risk of high cholesterol, you are risking developing diabetes, stroke or heart attack. Exercise more and you will lower you risk of these and other health problems,the short answer is cut back on the bad fats. - 15437

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