What is more harmful for our body — fats or carbohydrates? It seems that there is no definitive answer to this question yet, because each new study refutes the results of the old one. Dietitian Anne Fleck also contributed to the study of this topic. We publish an excerpt from her book «Fats vs Carbohydrates».
!Fat! For far too long, the fact that “healthy fat” is a health treasure, a healing potential, has been neglected. Good fat, bad fat? For decades, prejudice has been stubbornly maintained, which, as you know, was reflected in nutritional recommendations.
Today, carbohydrates from bread, pasta, rice, and potatoes are considered the tried-and-tested foundation of a “healthy” diet. Fats still have only one place — at the cat’s table. And yet, do they really have such a bad reputation? Aren’t they the chance for a new, revolutionary medical approach?
Modern research on fat debunks myths and reveals new facts. Let yourself be bewitched for a few minutes, because if you take into account the benefits of fat for our body, then from today you will begin to understand this as a declaration of love for the cells of your body, and define yourself in a new way.
During my research for this book, I was able to gather some startling facts:
Myth #1: Fat makes fat.
A huge problem lies in the fact that we use the single word «fat» for two completely different concepts. Fat, like dietary fat, and fat, which is responsible for the lifeline effect of extra pounds hanging from the waistband of your trousers.
Therefore, many of us think that fat from nuts, avocados, eggs or olive oil «lands» on the thighs and stomach. This is a myth that has been held for far too long.
After all, fats consumed with food are not stored directly on the buttocks and waist, but when digested in the mouth, stomach and intestines, they are broken down into components, mainly into fatty acids. From them, new valuable biomolecules and hormones are formed in the intestines and liver.
Myth #2: Fat must go.
Fat should not go away, because healthy fat can save a life! And yours too! Fat is an integral component of every cell membrane in our body. A kind of protective knightly armor of the cell, which guarantees the health of the smallest divisions of our body, is built from fats.
Fat-containing cell membranes, for example, envelop the thin processes of nerve cells and make rapid impulse conduction possible. Without fat, there will be no flow of thoughts in your head.
- Fat keeps us warm, regulates our body temperature, and protects our internal organs from accidents and shocks.
- Fat helps us absorb vital, fat-soluble vitamins (E, D, K, A) and minerals like calcium.
- Fat is essential for the production of vital hormones and neurotransmitters.
- Fat provides our body with the ability to accumulate reserves, which is extremely useful from the point of view of evolution in times of food shortage and famine.
In our country and in other developed countries, fortunately, people do not usually experience periods of real hunger. The problem is that sympathetic fat cells, due to the abundance of carbohydrates in the diet, are overloaded with energy and emit neurotransmitters that fuel inflammation and make diseases like myocardial infarction and type XNUMX diabetes more likely. Overweight and obesity can also be a consequence of this.
- Fat, as a macronutrient, speeds up the metabolism and, thanks to the wonderful property of satiety, reduces hunger.
- Fat limits overall calorie intake by producing a quick feeling of satiety.
Myth #3: Fat makes us sick.
The role of fat in health has been the subject of intense research for many years. Instead of producing disease, healthy fat has become a luxury health producer:
- Fat suppresses dangerous systemic inflammation in the body, reduces the risk of thrombosis and factors in the development of myocardial infarction.
- Fat accelerates the passage of the food bolus through the gastrointestinal tract, facilitates the work of the digestive system.
- Fat makes us fuller and more satisfied, happier, sexy, leaner and smarter.
- FAT, as an integral part of every cell — the smallest unit of our body, at this micro level is able to program the body for health. Those who know and use this wonderful secret have a powerful key to positively shaping their health.
And this is my personal declaration of love for fat.”
Source: Anne Fleck’s book «Fats vs. Carbohydrates» (Eksmo, 2021)