Fats
At 9 calories per gram, fats can add up quickly in your diet, yet experts recommend that you get only 7% of your calorie intake from fat. Fats also affect your cholesterol, and there are both good and bad fats. The best kind of fats are called unsaturated fats, and can be found in oils like olive and canola oils, nuts and seeds. These fats can help your body get rid of cholesterol. Saturated fats often have had hydrogen added to them to make them more solid. Other saturated fats are found in cream, butter and meats. They can raise your blood cholesterol. Its wise to learn which is which and check nutrition labels to make proper choices.
Recently Answered
- Q What is the difference between good and bad dietary fat?
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Everyone has to watch their intake of unhealthy fats. It's not the total fat consumption that matters so much; it's the type of fat consumed that affects your health. If ordering a side of guacamole with your chicken fajita, snacking on a handful... Full Answer
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- Q Why does the body convert dietary fat into body fat so easily?
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Dr. Dean Ornish, Internal MedicineThe reason your body converts dietary fat into body fat so easily is that fat is how your body stores energy. Calories are stored energy, like batteries. Since fat stores nine calories per gram, whereas protein and carbohydrate store only four calories... Full Answer
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- Q What is the function of fats in my diet?
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Although almost every cell in the body contains some fat in the form of cell membranes, fat is not an essential nutrient. That’s because the body is able to make the fat it needs—and then some! The fats we consume in food are used primarily... Full Answer
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- Q What are the environmental impacts of producing red palm oil?
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Dr. Mehmet Oz, CardiologyRecently, I’ve been involved in several conversations about the environmental sustainability of red palm oil. As is often the case, many viewers took our advice and started purchasing the oil in vast quantities. Despite its multitude of... Full Answer
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- Q What are triglycerides?
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Triglycerides are dietary fats not completely broken down by the liver. A high triglyceride level combined with low HDL cholesterol or high LDL cholesterol seems to speed up atherosclerosis (the buildup of fatty deposits in artery walls). ... Full Answer
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- Q Is olive oil good for my health?
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Olive oil is a major feature of the mediterranean diet. It also has good reputation as a healthy fat due to its three main components: monounsaturated fat, antioxidants and vitamin E. Monounsaturated fat is known to reduce your bad cholesterol,... Full Answer
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- Q What are healthy triglyceride levels?
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Dr. Michael Roizen, Internal MedicineTriglycerides are lipids (fats) that circulate in the bloodstream. Triglyceride measurements are usually taken when cholesterol levels are analyzed, after an overnight fast. The average fasting triglyceride level is 120 to 125 mg/dl. Levels above... Full Answer
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- Q What are medium-chain triglycerides (MCT)?
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Dr. Eva Selhub, Integrative MedicineMedium-chain triglycerides (MCT) are found naturally in coconut oil. MCTs are smaller than long-chain triglycerides, so they are digested more quickly and used for energy faster. Watch Eva Selhub, MD, explain why MCTs are ideal for fat burning. Full Answer
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- Q What is the best way to add medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) to my diet?
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Dr. Eva Selhub, Integrative MedicineThe best way to add medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) to your diet is to use coconut oil instead of other oils and fats when cooking, like vegetable oil or butter. Watch as Eva Selhub, MD, explains the various ways you can add MCTs to your diet. Full Answer
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- Q Does high triglyceride level indicate a risk for heart disease?
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Dr. Furqan Tejani, RadiologyAsians, from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh are specially predisposed to high triglycerides. This may be the only abnormality that is detectable in these individuals and they have a particularly high risk of coronary artery disease. Full Answer
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