The "Fat-Makes-You-Fat" Myth Is Only Half Right

Many folks are aware that certain fats will increase your risk of cancer and cardiovascular dysfunction as well as make you gain weight. However, what few apparently recognize is that healthy fats have the ability to not only improve your cardiovascular health and reduce your risk of cancer, but they can even assist you in weight loss.

Almost all processed foods and traditionally raised meats (grain fed) contain much too high levels of omega-6 fatty acids. It's true that in small amounts it is essential, but too much of these fats will elevate your risk of disease and increase the growth of fat in your body.

Conversely, Omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in fatty fish, fish oil, walnuts, hemp seed, and flax seed oil, have the opposite effect.

COOL!

Not long ago the Journal of Nutrition published a study wherein rats that ate diets supplemented with DHA, one of the omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil, had a decrease in overall body fat mass. Not surpringly, other laboratory studies indicate the reasons for this result.

Here's an example: DHA prevents undifferentiated cells from becoming preadipocytes (precursors to fat cells). DHA is also found to inhibit the fat storage capacity of adipocytes (the cells that store fat).

The cool thing is that not only does DHA reduce the total number of fat cells, it also reduces the fat-storage capability of your existing fat cells.

Here's the deal: If you currently eat a bit too many processed foods and/or traditionally raised meats, it is very likely you are probably consuming WAY too many omega-6 fats and not enough omega-3s. The fact that you likely have an excess of fat on your body is probably at least part of your problem.

Omega-3 difficiency is the root of a whole host of physical and mental maladies.

So what can you do about it? Change your diet; get rid of processed foods in your diet and purchase meats that state they are "Organic", grass or range fed. Or do like I do and harvest your own wild game and fish.

The best source (by far) of DHA is fish oil. NOT flax seed oil. A good brand to choose is Carlson's Lemon Flavored. Many health food stores carry it or you can find it online.

God bless,
Steve