Why does the body need saturated fat?

Answer 1

Although the healthcare industries tout the supposed danger of saturated fat, it is an important component in our diet and should not be eliminated from the diet entirely. Saturated fats are used to build cell membranes and comprise a large component of very important hormones. They are also the preferred fuel for your heart and a number of other tissues. If we fail to eat saturated fat our body is forced to make it. Unfortunately, the saturated fat that our body makes is not the same as the kind we get from foods, such as lauric acid, stearic acid, and palmitic acid. It is important to get a good source of natural saturated fats from the diet, such as that from extra virgin oils (olive, palm and coconut), dairy (although pasteurization oxidized the fats) and meat products. Palm oils contains about 50% saturated fat, while olive oil contains mostly unsaturated fat. The average person does not know the specifics and should not be encouraged to eat saturated fat, only to eat "good fats", or unsaturated fats, and educated about the food choices that provide these. Adequate consumption of unsaturated fats will indirectly provide the miniscule amount of saturated fat needed by the human body. Saturated fat can be very dangerous, and someone who's health necessitates vigilance in this matter should not be given a free pass to consume saturated fats, nor should they use palm oil as a healthy option. It was stated that saturated fat should not be eliminated from the diet entirely; but that should have been followed by the statement that it must be strictly limited.

Answer 2

This does not directly answer your question, but I feel that it is important enough to add it into the answer. New research is telling us that saturated fats may in fact be good for us, while trans fats are awful. Saturated fats are found in the foods that we used to eat, before we switched to hydrogenated oils. They can be found in both butter and coconut oil. Saturated fats provide energy and help to regulate hormones. See related links for more information about the studies that have been done.

Answer 3

But you can eat them! Saturated fats tend to be the fats found in meat and especially red meat llike beef and lamb, so, if you eat these meats then you are eating these fats. However, moderation is the answer - ie not too much and as part of a properly balanced diet. The problem with these fats, however, is that saturated fats can lead to the build-up of cholesterol in arteries so that the arteries in your body narrow so that less blood can flow through them. This puts a strain on the heart and can cause Heart disease. If the fatty deposits build up to the extent that a blockage occurs, then serious problems can result. As an example, if the blockage occurs in the arteries around the heart itself, then when the artery blocks, the heart muscle tissue beyond the blockage dies. This is known as a heart attack, and, if enough heart muscle dies it can be fatal. To prevent this, if there is a narrowing of the arteries around the heart, bits of vein from other parts of the body (eg the leg) can be grafted in to by-pass the blockage - this being known as a heart by-pass. Sometimes three blood vessels are by-passed (a triple by-pass) or sometimes four (a quadruple by-pass).

Answer 4

Are a crucial part of cell membranes, allow the absorption of fat soluble vitamins, and provide a source of energy for the body without the unwanted elevations of blood sugar and insulin that come with carbohydrate intake.

Answer 5

The reason your body needs fat is because it is essential to health. It all depends on the type of fat if its the fat you get from almonds and a variety of nuts you should be fine but if your getting your fat from a ho ho then think again.

Answer 6

• About 50% of our cell membranes consists of saturated fatty acids. Therefore saturated fatty acids are necessary for stable cell membranes.
• Saturated fatty acids are necessary for the incorporation of calcium into our bone tissue.
• Saturated fatty acids aids the usage of the essential Omega-3 and -6.
• It's been shown to increase HDL levels, which is strongly correlated with positive health.

Answer 7

• Lowers risk of heart disease and helps elevate HDL's, and lowers LDL"s.
• Saturated fats are crucial to help the body build bone density and the absorption of calcium.
• Saturated fats and the depth of vitamins they contain help us build and repair an immune system.
• Saturated fats are crucial in brain development, brain function and is the best anti-depressant there is.
• aids in hormone production.
• Is crucial for the absorption of all vitamins and minerals.

What is a problem is when we have sticky blood lipids which cause cholesterol to clump together in the the vessels. Avoid heated vegetable oils and gluten containing foods and get plenty of healthy organic saturated fats to keep this from occurring and to help heal.

Answer 8

as simple as it sounds. "Its saturated with fat". The molecular compounds are saturated with hydrogen ions, thus resulting in a saturated fat.