Why Saturated Fat is Important for Your Body

Not too long ago, most medical experts thought that all forms of fat are bad and should be avoided, though over time it had been discovered that there are fats that are very important for the health of our bodies.

These days, most people believe that monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats are good while trans and saturated fats are bad, however this isn’t exactly true either.

Saturated fat is indeed bad in large amounts, though it is important for your body when consumed moderately as it can play a role in your:

1. Lung Health: To function properly, the space within your lungs must be protected by a cover of a substance known as lung surfactant. This substance is made completely out of saturated fatty acids. It is important to replace these fats to prevent bad surfactant and breathing problems.

2. Immune System: Saturated fats in coconut oil and butter are important for the health of your immune system. A lack of saturated fats in your white blood cells can negatively affect their natural ability to find and eliminate external intruders such as fungi, bacteria, and viruses.

3. Cardiovascular System: Even though it has been found that consuming a lot of saturated fat has been linked to heart disease, surprisingly, it is also need to maintain your cardiovascular health. Saturated fat your diet lowers your risk for a chemical known as lipoprotein which is known for reducing the chance of developing heart disease.

4. Brain Health: Your brain is primarily made up of two substances, cholesterol and fat. Although you might have heard that unsaturated essential fatty acids like DHA and EPA is important for your heart and brain, you probably have not heard about how important natural saturated fats are for brain health.

5. Liver Health: Medical research has found that including saturated fats into your diet helps liver cells eliminate fat. Cleaning fat from your liver is very important for preventing fat storage in your body, particularly the stomach region.

6. Nervous System: A number of saturated fats, especially those seen in palm oil, butter, coconut oil, and lard, play the role of signaling messengers that have an effect on the metabolism process within your body..

Foods Best for Healthy Saturated Fats

Below are a few healthy foods made with saturated fats:

1. Fish Oil: Despite the fact that fish has a good amount of omega-3 essential fatty acids, the saturated fats within them should also be taken into account as well. The types of fish you want to eat for saturated fats include salmon, sardines, cod, herring, and menhaden.

2. Dark Chocolate: Dark chocolate is a food that is packed with important antioxidants and nutrients. It is probably the best way to obtain saturated fat, though needless to say it is chocolate and needs to be consumed in moderation.

3. Cheese: A good ways to get protein and calcium in your diet would be to eat plenty of cheese. Goat cheese has a lot of saturated fat as well as parmesan, fontina, cheddar, Monterey, Roquefort, gruyere, and Muenster.

Seek Medical Approval

Saturated fats should not be included in your diet without professional medical approval. Consult with your doctor or dietitian about if you should add this type of fat to your diet and which sources are best for you.

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