Let's Chat About Fat

Monday was a step up from Sunday. Pain in the knees was at nine, and the rest of my body stayed at a comparatively calm eight. Some of those who read this might wonder why I celebrate. "You're still hurting," they might say. True. At the same time, one learns to be grateful for any little break.

Gratefulness came to mind yesterday when I read a story on fat. Most people assume there is no room for fat in wellness. There are so many commercials on television and radio that paint fat as the enemy. The hypers try to make believe that our lives won't be complete until all fat is wiped from the face of the Earth. I am grateful, because the article I read said humans need fat to live. 

If you know about fat, this brief entry might bore you. If not, bear with my distillation of what I learned - good fat energizes me, keeps the skin and hair healthy, aids some vitamin absorption, and provides a layer of warmth.

I heard about saturated and unsaturated fat, but I never understood the difference. Saturated, generally found in animal products and vegetable oils, clogs you. It leads to high cholesterol and perhaps heart attacks. Unsaturated fats, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated included, are good.

"Polyunsaturated fats include the famed omega 3 and omega 6 fats, both considered essential fatty acids, because our bodies can't make them on its own," the article said. "Polyunsaturated fats can help lower total cholesterol, while monounsaturated fats can raise "good" cholesterol, or HDL, and lower "bad" cholesterol, or LDL."

To get the suggested 20 to 35 percent of the "good fat" in my diet, the article said to eat more avocado, nuts (especially almonds), fish with high fat content (such as salmon), olives (oil included), eggs, and flax and other types of seeds. According to what I read, in the long run the result of such a shift in diet will make me a lot more healthy. For that, I would be be very grateful.