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Find out which to choose and which to avoid. By Mayo Clinic Staff. Dietary fat is the fat that comes from food. The body breaks down dietary fats into parts called fatty acids that can enter the bloodstream. The body also can make fatty acids from the carbohydrates in food. The body uses fatty acids to make the fats that it needs.
The American Heart Association recommends eating fish rich in unsaturated fats at least twice a week. All fish are a good source of protein, vitamins and minerals. But fatty fish contain omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3s and other nutrients in fish may improve heart health. They also may lower the risk of dying of heart disease.
Omega-6 fatty acids can be good for the heart and seem to protect against heart disease. The body needs fatty acids, called essential fatty acids. It can make most of the fatty acids it needs. But the body can't make linolenic acid, an essential fatty acid that includes omega-6 fatty acids. A healthy diet is the body's main source of omega-6 ...
By Mayo Clinic Staff. Trans fat is considered the worst type of fat to eat. Unlike other dietary fats, trans fats — also called trans-fatty acids — raise "bad" cholesterol and also lowers "good" cholesterol. A diet laden with trans fats increases the risk of heart disease, the leading killer of adults. The more trans fats eaten, the greater ...
Omega-3 fatty acids. Many nuts are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3s are healthy fatty acids. They may reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Fiber. All nuts contain fiber, which helps lower cholesterol. Fiber also makes you feel full, so you eat less. Plant sterols. Some nuts contain plant sterols, a substance that can help lower ...
Fish oil is a dietary source of omega-3 fatty acids. Your body needs omega-3 fatty acids for many functions, from muscle activity to cell growth. Omega-3 fatty acids are derived from food. They can't be manufactured in the body. Fish oil contains two omega-3s called docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA).
And in truth, medium-chain triglycerides make up only a small amount of the fatty acids in coconut oil. Plus, while other heart-healthy fats like olive oil, canola oil, or omega-3 fatty acids in nuts and seafood have been supported by a large body of evidence, coconut oil's supposed benefits still haven't been proved in large-scale human research.
The feeding requirements for organic farm animals (livestock) usually cause higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids. These include feeding cattle grass and alfalfa. Omega-3 fatty acids — a kind of fat — are more heart healthy than other fats. These higher omega-3 fatty acids are found in organic meats, dairy and eggs.
Most nutrition experts recommend ground over whole flaxseed because the ground form is easier to digest. Whole flaxseed may pass through your intestine undigested, which means you won't get all the benefits. Flaxseed's health benefits come from the fact that it's high in fiber and omega-3 fatty acids, as well as phytochemicals called lignans.
Omega-3 fatty acids don't affect LDL cholesterol levels but may help lower triglycerides and increase HDL, the good cholesterol. But because of those acids' other heart benefits, the American Heart Association recommends eating at least two servings of fish a week. Baking or grilling the fish avoids adding unhealthy fats.