The body NEEDS really good quality fats. Fats serve as an energy source and they are necessary for healthy cellular growth. They protect organs and help them work properly. For example, the inside of the airway is lined with fatty-proteins. Makes sense that the lungs would need to have a slick, durable lining, right? Fats are necessary for absorption of the "fat-soluble" vitamins, A, D, E, and K. They are involved in hormone production, including sex hormones which are responsible for healthy development during puberty. Fats are in the myelin sheath that protect nerves and they are particularly important for the brain and spine for that reason. These are just a FEW of some really important reasons the body needs healthy fats, Y'all. One might wonder why the "low-fat diet" was EVER thought to be a good idea.
Now, I know some may be thinking, "There's no way I'm eating fatty junk food!" Me neither! The quality of the fat makes all the difference. According to the World Health Organization, the incidence of disability related to heart disease is half or less in Italy and Japan, when compared to the United States. Italy is well-known for its rich olive oil based diet and Japan for its fish-based nutrition. In the US, poor quality fats such as peanut, canola, and vegetable, are the norm and they are in abundance. Specifically, the highest incidence of heart disease in the United States occurs in the Southeastern states, which are known for their love of everything fried - I mean, it's not just fried chicken, we are talking deep fried pickles, deep fried moon-pies, deep-fried Snickers, fried fat-back . . . The Southeast gets PLENTY of fat, it's just crappy quality! In fact, I would venture to say that the typical American doesn't have much GOOD fat in his or her diet at all.
When was the last time you had real butter, avocado, olive oil, organic nut butters, eggs, or clean fish? Your body NEEDS these foods to work properly. I hope you are consuming them daily!
