Today, we are constantly bombarded with offers selling the latest fat loss plan or gadget. From medications and drink concoctions to tiny magnetic devices, each targeting the same thing: body fat. Sounds good, right? Getting rid of fat from our bodies either by burning it off through physical activity or taking it our fo our diets. The body actually needs fat for its processes and requires fat consumption in order to remain healthy. Yes, you heard correctly.



It is important that we understand that a small amout of fat is actually good for us, while we are all trying desperately to lose excessive amounts of weight. Fat cells are essential to hormone regulation, storing energy, and providing cushioning for our internal organs. The problem then is not in the presence of fat but the amount. The three percent threshold is when a necessary part of the body becomes dangerous,when we cross.

When you eat there are two types of fat that you will consume. You can choose to either eat good fats or bad ones. Polyunsatured and mono-unsaturated rank among the good fats, while saturated and trans fats are harmful to the body. The latter we need to avoid while the former is an essential part of a balanced diet. The body is unable to manufacture its things like omega 3 fatty acids are essential to the human body however. Therefore, we must get it from our diet.

In order to get the good fat the body needs you should know what foods contain them. Examples of good fat foods are nuts, avocados, sunflower seeds and fish oil.

The kind of fat you should avoid will be contained in deep fat fried foods and heavily preserved foods. A short list of examples would look something like eggs, cheese, french fries and potato chips. When we eat high levels of saturated or tran's fats we can run into health problems in a hurry.

Trans fats provide a doubly whammy to the body by increasing the amount of bad cholesterol while lowering the among of good cholesterol.

So on top of adding weight to your midsection you can see that the storage of fat can have an adverse effect on your health. Along with high cholesterol, you are flirting with the possibility of diabetes, stroke, and heart attack. The short answer is cut back on the bad fats, exercise more and you will lower you risk of these and other health problems.