Healthy fats are an essential part of our diets
For too long we’ve believed that eating fat is bad for our health and waistline, but when in actual fact, healthy fats are essential for good health.
Leading health and nutrition experts have come together to dispel the common myths around fat in our diet, revealing that a ‘fear of fat’ and modern eating habits are resulting in too little ‘good’ fat, such as omega-3, being consumed.
This lack of understanding about ‘good’ fats and our increasing reliance on convenience foods, that often contain trans fats, may be putting our heart health at risk.
World Heart Day, on Monday 29 September 2014, sees the launch of Caring for your heart: Your fat facts, a comprehensive report supported by MegaRed Omega-3 Krill Oil, that sheds light on the role of fats in our diets. Amidst an ever changing and confusing media landscape around fat, this report challenges our existing perceptions and redefines the role of this important nutrient in our diet.
Perceptions of fat
“The word ‘fat’ carries many negative connotations and as such, this nutrient continues to be one of the most demonised food groups,” explains nutritionist Christine Bailey. “In reality, fats are incredibly important to our overall health and we should focus on achieving the right balance in our diets, embracing sources of ‘good’ fat such as omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, which are proven to support heart health.”
Omega-3s are essential fatty acids which must be obtained through the diet as the body can’t efficiently produce them independently.For additional support, levels may also be boosted through supplementation. Guidelines recommend that a healthy diet should include at least two portions of fish a week, including one portion of oily fish However; latest studies show many of us are not eating enough; hence we may not be getting the levels of omega-3s that our body requires.
Christine Bailey continues: “The key is focusing on making simple, positive changes, such as including oily fish like mackerel or salmon in your diet, or experimenting with flaxseed oil in cooking as opposed to using oils high in saturated fat.”
Just as modern eating habits have altered, the way we consume information and make health decisions has also changed due to the huge volume of information available at our fingertips. Dr Roger Henderson remarks: “Today’s consumers are better informed but not better educated. Resources like the internet provide a vast pool of health information and have become the first port of call for many people, but this can be overwhelming. All too often, people absorb information they see without truly understanding it and it is this lack of understanding, which also applies to the issue of fat consumption that we need to address.”
Finding the right balance for heart health
While including too much saturated or ‘bad’ fats in our diets can increase our health risk, incorporating sources of unsaturated ‘good’ fats in our diets, such as omega-3, can help support heart health. Dr Leigh Gibson, reader in Psychology at the University of Roehampton, suggests that it’s all about finding the right balance: “Fat consumption is one part of many lifestyle changes, such as exercising regularly and reducing alcohol consumption, which are beneficial to our overall health. Often, people only think about their heart health when they, or someone close to them, has experienced a health scare but it is important to start being proactive about heart health early – don’t wait until it’s too late.”
This is something that Jennie Bond, celebrity supporter of the omega-3 supplement MegaRed can attest to: “At 64 years old, I know I’m not getting any younger, but that doesn’t have to stop me feeling young at heart and doing the things that keep me energised and heart healthy. I try and squeeze in a 30 minute run or swim a few times a week, and love experimenting with new, healthy recipes. To make sure I get enough omega-3s I supplement my diet with MegaRed Omega-3 Krill Oil.”
“The insights and findings offered in this report reinforce the role of omega-3s in supporting heart health – an area of our health that is often overlooked,” comments Dr Roger Henderson. “By launching this report on World Heart Day, we hope to show people that getting the recommended intake of omega-3s doesn’t have to be difficult, and encourage people to start being proactive about their heart health.”
Tagged in Nutrition Diet Healthy eating Healthy Diet Plan