Why is saturated fat good for us?

Answer 1

• Fat provides needed energy. It is difficult to eat the large amounts of food in a very low fat diet to get all the energy you need.
• Fat is needed to prevent essential fatty acid deficiency.
• Fat is needed so your body can absorb the fat soluble vitamins A, S, E, K, and prevent deficiencies of these vitamins.
• Fat provides flavor and texture to help prevent food from being bland and dry.
• Fat helps food to stay in the stomach longer, giving a greater sense of satisfaction and preventing hunger soon after meals.
• Fat may help your body produce endorphins (natural substances in the brain that produce pleasurable feelings).
• Diets too low in fat (less than 20 - 25%) may trigger cravings.

What does fat do for our body?

• Provides back-up energy if blood sugar supplies run out (after 4-6 hours without food).
• Provides insulation under the skin from the cold and the heat.
• Join the online Eating Disorder Support Groups including Anorexia, Bulimia, and Binge Eating for free and talk to others who are facing the same challenges you are.
• Protects organs and bones from shock and provides support for organs.
• Fat surrounds and insulates nerve fibers to help transmit nerve impulses.
• Fat is part of every cell membrane in the body. It helps transport nutrients and metabolites across cell membranes.
• Your body uses fat to make a variety of other building blocks needed for everything from hormones to immune function.

Answer 2

Yes, unsaturated fats are good for you. They are an important part of healthy diets.

Polyunsaturated fats are required for normal body functions. Your body can't manufacture them, so you must get them from food. Polyunsaturated fats help build cell membranes, the exterior casing of cells, and the sheaths surrounding nerves. They are vital to blood clotting, contraction and relaxation of muscle, and inflammation. Polyunsaturated fats reduce LDL more than they lower HDL, therefore, improving your cholesterol. They also lower triglycerides. The two types of polyunsaturated fats are: omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.

Monounsaturated fats should be used as much as possible alongside polyunsaturated fats. They replace bad saturated fats and trans fats. Olive oil, peanut oil, canola oil, avocados, and most nuts are good sources of monounsaturated fats.

Answer 3

Unsaturated fats are healthier than saturated fats.

Saturated fats are triglycerides with a saturated fatty acid. Saturated fats contain no double bonds and are fully saturated with Hydrogens. Each carbon in a saturated fat is bonded to a Hydrogen atom. Because of this structure the levels of "bad" cholesterol (LDL) can increase and can clog arteries.

On the other hand, unsaturated fats contain at least one double bond. This means that at least 1 Carbon atom is not saturated with Hydrogen molecules. The double bond introduces "kinks" into the molecular shape of the molecule thus helps lower LDL cholesterol and doesn't easily clog arteries.

Quick summary

Saturated fats

- all carbon atoms are full of hydrogen

- contain single bonds only (not including the double bond in the fatty acid)

- easy to clog arteries

Unsaturated fats

- contain at least 1 double bond

- at least 1 Carbon is not fully saturated

Answer 4

Saturated fat is important for our bodies because it provides a concentrated source of energy, helps with the absorption of certain vitamins, and is crucial for hormone production. However, it is important to consume it in moderation as excessive intake can increase the risk of Heart disease.

Answer 5

It's not good for us. Unsaturated fat is the "healthier" fat. We do need saturated fat but it is only needed in moderation.

Answer 6

No, unsaturated is good.