IMMUNITY

Nutrition Soundbites No. 2: Fats for Immune System, Brain and Heart Health

Why is Fat so important for our health?
• Nutrients are Essential for Life and Growth
• Without nutrients we perform poorly, feel unwell, become sick and eventually die
• Fats, Carbs and Proteins are our Macronutrients
• Fats are critically important to consume daily
• Fats are not your enemy
• Simple carbohydrates are the enemy that make us put on weight and susceptible to chronic disease
• Healthy fats are essential for heart health by improving cholesterol levels
• Healthy fats are essential for immune function as they are needed to absorb vitamins A, D, E and K
• Healthy fats are therefore essential for bone health (vitamin D), eye health (vitamin A), blood clotting (vitamin K) and overall immunity (vitamin E) amongst many others
• Health fats are essential for brain health making up 60% of the brain
• Healthy fat is essential for all our cell membranes and the function of our cellular system
• Too much saturated fat in the diet is bad for our health and heart
• Best way to improve fat consumption is to reduce or animal protein and dairy and eat a more whole food plant based diet
• Eat a diet hight in mono and polyunsaturated fat such as nuts, seeds, avocados, olive oil etc.
• Cook with sparingly with fats mainly saturated fats that have higher smoke points and solid at room temperature
• Do not ever cook with nut oils and other unstable oils as they become toxic when oxidised
• Eat omega 3 polyunsaturated fat 2-3 times a week or take an omega 3 supplement high in EPA and DHA most days.
• Best way to get nuts and seeds into your diet is a daily smoothie
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