Not all fat is bad for you. As a matter of fact, some types of fat are necessary. If you are a health-conscious person and proper nutrition and fitness is important to you, then you have no doubt heard about the importance of consuming a sufficient amount of essential fats. So what are essential fats all about, and how can you include them in your nutrition plan? Here is a guide to understanding essential fats.
What are essential fats? Essential fats, also called essential fatty acids, are fatty acids that our bodies use for a variety of functions, but that our bodies do not naturally synthesize; therefore, it essential that we consume essential fats in our diet. Essential fats include the omega-3 fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid, the omega-6 fatty acids linoleic acid and gamma-linolenic acid, lauric acid, and palmitoleic acid.
What do essential fats do for us? A number of highly important body functions are aided by essential fats. These include support of the cardiovascular, nervous, reproductive and immune systems, the repair of cell membranes, the regulation of blood pressure, heart rate and blood clotting, neural and sensory development in children, the control of inflammation, and are necessary for the production of Testosterone. Since Testosterone is manufactured in the body from fatty acids logically the more fatty acids you consume the greater amount of testosterone your body will be able to produce. Many studies clearly indicate that low-fat diets result in lower testosterone levels, while diets higher in fat can cause greater levels of testosterone.1.
What are the symptoms of a deficiency in essential fats? Many health problems may be caused from a lack of essential fatty acids in the diet. These include depression, hair loss, dyslexia, skin problems, low testosterone, decreased sex drive, arthritis, the inability to properly heal wounds, cancer, impaired vision, heart attacks, learning disabilities, asthma, stroke, diabetes, obesity, accelerated aging, lupus, ADHD, insulin resistance, schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s, and more. As you can see, an essential fatty acids deficiency is no laughing matter.
Signs of deficiency. The first and most obvious sign of an essential fats deficiency is dryness of the skin and other skin problems. Dehydration and constipation are also common symptoms of an emergent problem.
Where can we find essential fats? Of course, there are many over the counter supplements that you can add to your diet to ensure you are getting the appropriate amount of essential fats on a daily basis. It is also important to remember that essential fats naturally occur in certain foods, and that you should include these foods in any well-balanced diet. Great sources of Essential fatty acids include Salmon, herring , mackerel , flax seed , walnuts , almonds , olive oil and eggs. So if none of these are in your daily diet , figure out how to start adding them for you the sake of your testosterone and over all health.