Tag Archives: Food Facts

Animal Fat…To Eat or Not to Eat

The danger of a high Protein diet, which is commonly linked to a high animal fat diet seems to be up for discussion again during January, the month of the diet!

While a small amount of animal fat can be found in ones diet beef, chicken, fish and poultry should be consumed in the amount of 4 oz /day (114g a day).  Eating a deit high in animal fat is dangerous, a.ka. Saturated Fat and is the culprit of high cholesterol. (Unsaturated Fat comes from plant oils and nuts.) Our liver already produces a perfect amount of cholesterol (1g/day) to meet our hormone needs.
A high animal fat diet is dangerous, especially, if there is a lack of fiber and exercise in ones daily routine.  Pathologies such as artherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries due to fat lined within veins and arteries of heart, which block oxygen to the heart, causing a portion of the heart to die.), heart attack, stroke, arthritis, inflammation and kidney failure.

The heart healthy Omega 3,6, found primarily in fish (and walnuts 1 oz or 28g /day) should be consumed 4-6 oz/ day or 114-168g/day three -four times a week. This nutritional fat is a healer in that it is largely responsible for reducing inflammation of all types.

Give yourself permission to enjoy hamburgers, steak, sausage, porkloins and pies, but monitor them carefully in a daily and weekly diet as to curve nutritionally linked diseases.

By: Kimberly Crocker

Omega 3,6,9


OMEGA’S 3,6,9                                                                                                                    Finally, news about this fatty acid is getting out to the community at large. What’s all fuss about and how does it benefit our bodies? The working ingredient of fish oil is omega-3, a polyunsaturated fatty acid which is also found in certain plants such as flaxseed, pumpkin seed, walnutsand extra virgin olive oil. The Mediterranean diet prides itself on balancing omega3 and 6 in it’s diet. A brief introduction to this essential fatty acid is that, there are three major types of omega 3 fatty acids that are ingested in foods and used by the body:

1. alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
2. eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)
3. docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)

Once eaten, the body converts ALA to EPA and DHA. EPA and DHA are more readily used by the body. Extensive research indicates that omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation and help prevent certain chronic diseases such as heart disease and arthritis. http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/omega-3-000316.htm

When it comes to cancer prevention the jury is still out as there are some disagreements between the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition and Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).

The good news though is that the Omega 3 reduces:

  • 1. Inflammation (specifically important for after surgery)
    2. Increases HDL (Healthy) Cholesterol specifically noted with the Mediterreanean Diet
    3. Lowers Blood Pressure
    4. Prevents heart disease and stroke
    5. Decreases risk of diabetes
    6. Eases arthritis pain
    7. Weightloss “staple” fat (instead of butter a Saturated Fat)
    8. Increase Calcium levels in the body
    9. Help nerve cells communicate for good mental health 10. Promotes wound healing in “Burn Patients”.
    11. Studies on Colon, Breast and Prostrate Cancer are being researched.
    http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/omega-3-000316.htm
By Kimberly Crocker