• Fats have gotten a bad reputation. While excess saturated fats can cause clogged arteries, there are good and bad fats
• There are two types of fats: saturated fats and unsaturated fats
• Saturated fats are usually called the “bad” fats but they’re necessary for a healthy diet in moderation. Over consumption can lead to heart disease
• Omega-3 fatty acids are a type of unsaturated fat. These work well to improve health in many ways including: reducing the risk of cardiac arrhythmia, prevent blood clots and reducing the risk of heart attack
• Organic Flax is another great source or Omega 3 fats.

Fat has a bad reputation for causing health problems and weight gain. It is partially true as excess saturated fat is actually a causative factor for clogging arteries that can lead to heart disease and stroke. However not all fats are bad. In fact, there are good fats that are necessary for good health. These are often deficient in the diet and these deficiencies can lead to numerous health complications. All fats can be divided into specific categories: saturated fats and unsaturated fats. Within the category of unsaturated, there are mono-unsaturated and poly-unsaturated fats. Both are needed for good health. Essentially the difference between saturated and unsaturated is the former is solid at room temperature while the latter is liquid at room temperature. A common type of fat in our diets is hydrogenated fat, also known as Trans-fats. These are unsaturated fats that have been used in the food production process and turned into saturated fats. This is done by forcing hydrogen to bond with molecules of the unsaturated fat to make them saturated, or “hard”. This is how margarine is made. This type of fat is considered to be especially bad for the health. They have been utilized in almost all processed foods. Of late, the trend is finally starting to move away from this practice due to the severe repercussions associated with ingesting Trans-fats.

Saturated fats are the ones considered to be ‘bad’ fats, although this is not entirely true. Saturated fats are required in certain amounts for several bodily processes. They are derived from animal products (meat, cheese, eggs). If consumed in large amounts they may lead to heart diseases. Unsaturated fats are called “good” fats and this too is not always correct. Although you do need unsaturated fatty acids for proper health, an over consumption can lead to “rancidity” developing virtually anywhere in the body. As with most things, it is important to have a good balance of healthy and unprocessed saturated and unsaturated fats.

Omega-3 fatty acids belong to the polyunsaturated fat category. The Omega-3 fatty acids are very often called essential fatty acids, which means that they are vital for human health and that bodies are unable to produce them. Omega-3 fatty acids have amazing abilities to help improve health, they can:

- Decrease the amount of lipids in the bloodstream
- Improve the ability of the body to respond to insulin
- Decrease the risk of developing cardiac arrhythmia.
- Help to prevent blood clots (the clumps that results from the blood coagulation)
- Keep cholesterol levels and triglyceride levels low
- Lower the blood pressure
- Dilate the arteries and helps to improve circulation
- Reduce pain, especially that associated with menstruation
- Decrease inflammation
- Lower the chances of getting memory loss and dementia

The Omega-3 fats consist of 3 fatty acids,alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). These three types of the Omega -3 family are the key components of fatty acids. ALA is considered to be the most common in the Omega-3 family. The most efficient sources are fatty/oily fish (such as cod, salmon, anchovies, herring, mackerel or sardines), shrimp, flax seed oil, flax seeds, as well as soybeans, walnuts, tofu, pumpkin seeds and all dark green colored vegetables. Lake trout and canned tuna can be also good sources, although the levels of Omega-3’s depend on how the fish were raised and processed.

The main function of Omega-3’s in the human body is removing waste products from the cells and allowing the necessary amount of nutrients to enter our cells. Omega-3 fatty acids are also extremely important for brain development. The Omega-3 fatty acids are especially helpful in reducing heart problems and keeping it healthy and strong. The American Heart Association and many other heart organizations recommend eating fish regularly for its positive effect on the heart. A large body of recent research has shown that Omega-3 fatty acids can even reduce the rate of heart attacks and strokes. Omega-3 may be included as part of our diet in several ways. You can increase the amounts of servings of foods listed above in your daily diet, or you can also take an Omega-3 supplement in capsule form. These are available at most health food stores. Omega-3 fatty acids have also been shown to help prevent high blood pressure, depression, Alzheimer’s disease, joint pain and many other diseases.

Another way to incorporate Omega 3 fats into your diet is through Organic Flax.

Heart Disease Nutrition3 Oct 2008