26 Apr, 2018
Fats are generally made out to be the bad guys, but it’s not really fair to lump them all together.
They come in many varieties and our body is able to handle some types better than others. Are there any fats which are actually good for your body? Which fats do you need to look out for most? Let’s break it down.
Our body breaks down saturated fats into fatty acids that our body can use. The
Omega-3 and Omega-6 fats are much easier to process and do a lot more than store energy. A good diet will ensure a balance of both of these healthier fats. Because our diets tend to include less Omega-3, it deserves some special attention.
Omega-3 fatty acids play an important role in several areas; heart health, brain function and in controlling inflammation. Not having enough Omega-3 can contribute to health problems including heart disease, arthritis and cancer. These essential fatty acids are also connected to intelligence and mental health, which makes it unfortunate that they are often lacking in modern diets.
A diet that is rich in Omega-3 has a lot of benefits, but not all sources are the same. There are several types of Omega-3 fatty acids.
If you love seafood then you’ll be glad to know that salmon, anchovies, oysters and cod liver oil are rich in EPA and DHA, two important Omega-3 fatty acids that are easily absorbed by the body.
If you are a vegetarian, plant foods like spinach, soybeans and walnuts, and oils like flaxseed oil and canola oil, are rich in ALA. This is a unique Omega-3 fatty acid that our body can’t produce. Instead, it needs to come from our diet, and be processed before it can be used.
Your body’s ability to process ALA, an Omega-3 fatty acid, depends on the variant of the FADS1 gene you possess. If you don’t have the normal variant, then the related enzyme may not function optimally, and you may not benefit as much from plant-based Omega-3.
You may also have weight-loss benefits from having Omega-3, if you have a certain variant of the PPARG gene. So, before planning out your Omega-3 rich diet plan, it makes sense to find out if you have the right gene variations through a simple cheek swab test.
The myDNA Nutrition Report can tell you if you possess the normal variant of the FADS1 gene, and whether Omega-3 is beneficial to your weight-loss plan. This can help you make more confident diet choices.