Fats are a vital component of the human diet, but they can also be the enemy. Fats are an essential part of our diet, providing us with energy, insulation, and a sense of fullness. However, excess fat can adversely affect health and increase risk factors for chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to managing your fat intake. The key is moderation, which will ensure that your body gets the good fats it needs to function well while not harming your health. You might be confused because there are good fats and bad fats. How these fats differ from each other? Continue reading below to get the answer.

Fats: An Overview

Fats are a vital component of the human diet as they provide a surge of energy, assist in brain functioning and cell repair, provide insulation and cushion our internal organs, maintain healthy skin and hair, aid in the absorption of specific vitamins, and aid in the regulation of hormones. 

However, when consumed in excess (meaning more than 20% of your daily calories), fats can have adverse health and increase risk factors for chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. In addition, excessive fat intake is also linked to a higher risk of other health conditions like cancer.

Benefits Of Fats In The Body 

Fat work  wonders in our bodies. Here are some of the health benefits of fat.

They Keep You Fuller Longer. 

Eating fats helps you feel full faster and for more extended periods, which means that you will be less likely to overeat shortly. Many high-quality, healthy fats also contain essential nutrients that are essential for a balanced diet. For this reason, you should not consume fats in excess. 

They Aid In Brain Functioning. 

DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid, is present in large amounts in the gray matter of your brain. It is vital for cognitive functioning – it boosts memory and encourages neuron communication and activity. In addition, fats are crucial for healthy cell structure and protection. 

They Help Maintain Healthy Skin And Hair. 

Fats, particularly essential fatty acids, aid in producing hormones whose primary role is to keep skin and hair healthy. Healthy fats also help maintain healthy cell membranes, an integral part of skin and hair.  

Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are two types of essential fatty acids that maintain healthy skin. Omega-3s, also known as linoleic acid, are polyunsaturated fats naturally found in meat, fish, and vegetable oils, such as flaxseed oil. The omega-6 essential fatty acid is known as gamma-linolenic acid and also can be obtained from oils. Vitamin E is a fat antioxidant that keeps cells healthy; alpha-tocopherol is the most active form of vitamin E.

Difference Between Good Fats And Bad Fats

The difference between the two revolves along with its effects on your body. Fats are an essential component of the human diet, but you need to keep your intakes in check.

Good Fats

These are the ones that you want to consume. Good fats lower your harmful cholesterol levels, reduce cravings and help you feel full longer. They also help maintain a healthy heart. These are the ones that you want to consume. Good fats lower your harmful cholesterol levels, reduce cravings and help you feel full longer. They also help maintain a healthy heart. 

Furthermore, good fats will encourage you to eat less when compared to bad fats, which make people feel satisfied with their energy intake, leading them to eat more than they usually would have without consuming the unhealthy fat.

Bad Fats

These are the fats that are supposed to be consumed little or not at all. Bad fats have high levels of bad cholesterol, lower your good cholesterol levels, cause weight gain and clog the arteries. These are the fats that are supposed to be consumed little or not at all. Bad fats have high levels of bad cholesterol, lower your good cholesterol levels, cause weight gain and clog the arteries.

Also, bad fats increase the appetite and encourage a person to eat more than they usually would. Bad fats are also very unhealthy for overall health and increase heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. These fats break down more easily into free radicals, which can cause damage to cells in your body, causing you to age faster than usual.

Different Types Of Fats

The most common and basic types of fats are saturated, polyunsaturated, monounsaturated, and trans fats.

Saturated Fats

Overconsumption of saturated fats can lead to several health conditions. However, intake keeps your heart healthy and cholesterol level low. Saturated fats are very destructive to the body as they cause inflammation that can lead to clogged arteries.

Poly Unsaturated Fats

They can lower your LDL or “bad” cholesterol, which helps you stay away from heart disease. They also have anti-inflammatory effects on the body, which help prevent cancer in men and women. They can lower your LDL or “bad” cholesterol, enabling you to stay away from heart disease. They also have anti-inflammatory effects on the body, which help prevent cancer in men and women.

Monounsaturated Fats

Monounsaturated fats help lower bad cholesterol and heart disease. They are beneficial for lowering the risk of stroke, heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. They also prevent excess insulin secretion, which leads to the increase of type II diabetes.

Furthermore, monounsaturated fats are very beneficial for fighting cancer, especially breast cancer. Trans Fats The worst kinds of fats because they were once considered healthier than saturated fat. However, more recent research indicates they contribute to cardiovascular diseases and some cancers. Not all trans fats are harmful, but trans fats generally have very negative health impacts.

Takeaway

A proper diet is essential to good health and can prevent many diseases. A person’s diet should include a certain amount of fats, depending on one’s age and body type. Since you already know the difference between good fats and bad fats, it’s time for you to make the right choices. Make the right food choices if you’re ready to take the first step towards making your life better.