FATS

Eating fats makes you fat—FALSE! Despite what you may have been told, fats are your friend. Fats, also called lipids, are critical for achieving optimal health. Your cell membrane, which surrounds your cells, is made from the fats you digest. That membrane keeps everything inside the cell, helps maintain an electrolyte balance, responds to hormones, regulates inflammation, and more. Your cells must be fluid and not too stiff to perform at their best. This can be obtained by eating suitable types of fats. Fats also are the building blocks for your hormones, are essential for vitamin absorption, and give you sustained energy. The key is to eat the correct type of fats. Not what is traditional in the American diet. It’s best to avoid those highly processed hydrogenated oils and trans fats and choose good quality healthy fats such as coconut oil, flaxseed oil, grass-fed butter, ghee, egg yolks, salmon, avocados, nuts, and seeds. Believe it or not, having a fatty acid deficiency is an epidemic and can be linked to musculoskeletal, endocrine, cardiovascular, immune, skin issues, allergies, and depression. Adding more fats to your diet has many advantages. My favorite is that it makes food taste better and keeps me satiated longer.