How to lose weight by
eating fat: the "good" fat dietary supplements and
herbal supplements are changing how we look at fat
Ann Louise Gittleman (author of the Fat Flush
Plan), calls them "The Amazing Omegas", and she
may be right. The omegas are the polyunsaturated fats
omega-3 and omega-6 that raise our metabolism, flush
our kidneys, and yes, help burn fat (the "bad" fat
that is). So what can the omegas teach us about
how to lose weight?
This article aims to teach you how fat performs vital
functions in the body, and how our intake of essential
fatty acids controls food cravings, and helps balance
sugar levels.So, before you rush out to buy omega-3
and 6 dietary supplements or herbal supplements...
Knowing how to lose weight means
understanding good fat versus bad fat
Bad fat first.. The bad fats in this
article are in two groups: saturated fats, and
trans-fatty acids. Saturated fats are naturally
occurring in meat, poultry, whole milk dairy products,
coconut oil, palm oil, and palm kernel oil (used in
cookies, crackers, and non-dairy creamers).
Trans-fatty acids is fat that is manufactured--through
a process called hydrogenation. Hydrogenation means
that a liquid fat is transformed into a solid fat.
Trans-fatty acids act like saturated fats, raising
blood cholesterol, and contributing to hear disease.
Trans-fatty food products include tub margarine, and
partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, which is used in
just about all packaged baked goods these days.
And now the Good fat... Thankfully, the story of
how to lose weight by consuming the right quantities
of fat starts with the role of the good fats in the
body, the essential fatty acids.
Essential fatty acids, like the omegas, perform the
following functions:
- helps body retain water
- sodium balance
- fat burning
- circulates vitamins A, D, E, K throughout the
body
- helps conserve protein
- balances sugar levels by controling the
absorption of carbs
- helps build hormones like estrogen and
testosterone
- helps control cravings
Lets look at the omegas: Alpha-linolenic acid
(ALA) is the top dog omega-3 fatty acid. ALA is
found in salmon, tuna, cod, flaxseed oil, hemp oil,
walnut oil, soybeans, wheat germ sprouts, and leafy
greens. Among other things, ALA raises your
metabolism so you can burn fat more efficiently.
Linoleic acid (LA) is an omega-6 fatty acid. LA is
found in safflower,, sunflower, and corn oils. Your
body converts LA to GLA. GLA raises your metabolism
and stimulates the thyroid and burning fat.
Taking essential fatty acid
dietary supplements and herbal supplements
The body cannot manufacture essential fatty acids
so they must come from a food source. Eating whole
food sources of EFAs regularly are a great way to get
your omega-3s and omega-6s. However, if you have too
much sugar in your diet, or your are under stress,
your body has a tough time converting ALA into a
usable form, or LA into GLA. By taking ALA and GLA as
dietary or herbal supplements you give your body a
helping hand.
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