The Good and Bad Fats of Weight Loss By William Winch At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

Fats have been a major contribution to obesity in this country. People to this day still cannot seem to grasp the fact that our bodies need fat, and other essentials that fad diets try to scare us out of consuming. There are good fats and bad fats, and just like everything else, moderation is the key to success.

Remember when everyone started consuming fat free products in the 1980's? If they worked, why didn't most people lose any weight on them? Because just like many other gimmicks, it was a fraud. Sure the products had less or no fat, but they increased the amount of carbohydrates which turn into sugar and calories and, well, you see where this is going.

Instead of looking for an easy way out, you might find better success at losing weight if you just sit down and understand the truth about fat. Cheaters never prosper in life, and that certainly goes for weight loss. There are no shortcuts when it comes to the human body. If you want to control your weight, start by learning the facts.

Different types of fats and oils are called "monounsaturated," and "polyunsaturated" based on the predominant type of fatty acid, which is the building block of the particular fat or oil. Almost all the fat in your diet, and in your body, is made up of triglycerides, which are made up of 3 fatty acids linked together by a sugar called "glycerol."

Saturated fats and trans-fats both tend to raise cholesterol levels, and higher levels of cholesterol are a major risk factor for heart disease. Processed foods often contain a whopping 50% fat calories, which is not good for you. A good target to shoot for would be choosing foods with about 20% of total calories from fat.

Polyunsaturated fats are both good and bad. Omega-6 fats are more inflammatory, and some call these "bad fats." Omega-3 fats from fish oil and from plants are called "good fats" because they are anti-inflammatory and counter-act the effects of omega-6 fats inside cells. Just remember 3 is good, 6 is bad.

Our modern diets use a lot of processed oils, and the oil manufacturers have stripped out much of the omega-3 fatty acids to extend shelf life in the store. This results in a ratio of 10-2 in favor of bad fats when you don't watch what you eat, and contributes to inflammation, the root of heart disease, asthma, and many forms of cancer.

Fast food restaurants have been a round for a while, so why is it that just in the past decade we have seen a rise in obesity? It's because there are more fast food restaurants than ever before, and when people choose not to have that fatty McDonalds burger, they choose a fatty taco around the corner for variety instead of eating something healthy.

The cholesterol-raising effects of saturated fats from meats and cheeses has been known for decades, but some diets claim to lower cholesterol if you lessen your carbs and increase your proteins. This is just another fad people followed in their mighty quest to find a shortcut to weight loss. Never trust a diet that tells you a fatty slice of bacon is healthier than a fresh apple.

The fastest, safest and easiest way to lose weight while making sure your body is getting everything it needs is with soy protein meal replacement heart healthy shakes. This is the way I lost 70 pounds in 4 months and have kept it off for over 15 years. Imagine getting all of the good fat, carbohydrates, proteins and vitamins your body needs...all in a 200 calorie shake. You would probably need a meal of 2,000 calories to get all of that nutrition, and you can't lose weight that way.

Get to know your good fats (omega 3) and your bad fats (omega 6), and start incorporating what you know into the selections you choose to eat. Losing weight and keeping it off is more about a lifestyle change rather than starving yourself on a diet and worrying about every little calorie. Details won't help you lose weight, action will.

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