Best Fatty Acid Foods

The term “fatty acids” usually follows the prefix “essential”. You cannot enjoy good health without them. A stable diet that contains fatty acids foods yields too many benefits to mention. Consuming these foods can help you with anything from weight loss to reducing inflammation. It is no wonder that including them in your meals would be one of the first steps to improving your well being.

Fatty acids are known by several names. They are called omega 3 and 6 and at times “good fats”. The richest sources are avocados, peanut butter, olive oil, nuts, flax seed; sunflower seeds, meats, eggs, salmon; sardines, soybeans, turkey, tofu and soy products. Other great fatty acids foods are spinach, broccoli, anchovies and oysters. Different foods will contain different levels and types of fatty acids. Good fats can be monounsaturated or polyunsaturated. Adding the mentioned food items to your daily meals will cover both.

What exactly do these fats do? Omega 3s take care of your heart by keeping your arteries free from blood clots. They also rid your body of cholesterol, helps reduce inflammation, prevents the loss of bone density by influencing calcium levels, makes joints less stiff and enhance brain function. People suffering from asthma, lung infections, heart disease, arthritis and menopausal effects on bones will enjoy the results of eating fatty acids foods.

Women have a lot to thank omega 6s for. This is because, together with omega 3s, can relieve symptoms of PMS, lessen hot flashes in women going through menopause and help to strengthen fragile bones. They are also essential for healthy skin and help regulate blood pressure in both men and women. If you are looking to trim your waistline, you’re in luck. Fatty acids regulate your blood sugar and produce double the energy carbohydrates do. They assist thyroid glands which helps keep your weight under control.

Fatty acids should never be confused with saturated fats. The former are called good fats because of their positive effects on the body. The latter are known as bad fats because they are harmful. Saturated fats can be found in processed and fried foods. They elevate cholesterol and increase your chances of heart disease. When saturated fats are consumed, they build up easily in the body and become clumps that could lead to cardiovascular problems, obesity and cancer.

Good fats and bad fats are not worlds apart. You could grill fish rich in omega 3 and 6 but by simply deep frying it, you could transform a great fatty acid food into one with saturated fats. Therefore, it is not only the foods you eat that are important but how you prepare them. When you can, eat the foods raw but in the case of meats and fish, broiling, grilling and baking are recommended. Ensure that you remove the fat off meat, if any. You should also be careful of serving fatty acid-rich food with unhealthy cook-in sauces, salad dressings and condiments. Knowing the differences between your fats and their sources can save your life.