Fats
An essential element of healthy nutrition.
Fats, by their nature can be split into two categories; Saturated and Unsaturated. Although the type of fat differs between the two categories they are the same in that they are made up of same chemical structure; glycerol and fatty acids. It is important to understand; Storage Fat (stored under the skin) and Essential Fat (for body function).
Fats, either a solid or liquid by state, are origins of animals (lard, fish oil etc) or vegetables (peanuts, soya etc) and when entering the body are broken down by enzymes located in the pancreas.
Saturated and Unsaturated fats (the two categories) contain different energy contents and have different melting points therefore their beneficial nutritional gain alters. Trans-fats are commonly seen in foods, these types of fats are commercially created (through the joining of molecules) and are linked with health problems therefore their intake should be kept to a minimum.
Fats are often considered as the bad element of nutritional intake however this is a misconception. Fats are absolutely essential in maintaining our bodies visual appearance (skin, hair, nails etc) and work ‘behind the scenes’ (healthy cell function, creating fatty tissue to supply organs etc) A too higher intake of foods containing a high fat content should be avoided as the fat will not be utilised by the body and instead stored (when problems can occur).
Fats contain fatty acids which are vitally important to nutritional goals (see ‘learning about proteins’ therefore should form ‘part’ of a diet. At ASN we advise that a healthy body fat content is between 6-15% however this does change depending on the goals of your chosen activity.
