Weight Loss Information

The Science of Obesity: Fats & Cholesterol

Medifast Offer (US) Lose weight with Medifast Diet - Two weeks Free Food Offer

HoodiaMaxx Free Trial
Drop 25 lbs in 25 days - $1 Offer plus S&H.
Buy Hoodia Gordonii at Discount Price
Ready to buy - Discount Offer, Hoodia Gordonii for Weight loss - International Shipping Available.

For years we heard that a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet would keep us healthy and help us lose weight. And many of us jumped on the bandwagon, eliminating fat and high-cholesterol foods from our diets. Well, unfortunately, we were doing it all wrong.

Instead of eliminating fat completely, we should have been eliminating the "bad fats," the fats associated with obesity and heart disease and eating the "good fats," the fats that actually help improve blood cholesterol levels. Before we examine the good fats and bad fats, let's talk about cholesterol.

Cholesterol - It's been ingrained into our brains that cholesterol causes heart disease and that we should limit our intake of foods that contain it, but dietary cholesterol is different than blood cholesterol. Cholesterol comes from two places-first, from food such as meat, eggs, and seafood, and second, from our body. Our liver makes this waxy substance and links it to carrier proteins called lipoproteins. These lipoproteins dissolve the cholesterol in blood and carry it to all parts of your body. Our body needs cholesterol to help form cell membranes, some hormones, and Vitamin D.

You may have heard of "good" and "bad" cholesterol. Well, high-density lipoproteins (HDL) carry cholesterol from the blood to the liver. The liver processes the cholesterol for elimination from the body. If there's HDL in the blood, then less cholesterol will be deposited in the coronary arteries. That's why it's called "good" cholesterol.

Low-density lipoproteins (LDL), carry cholesterol from the liver to the rest of the body. When there is too much in the body, it is deposited in the coronary arteries. This is not good. A build-up of cholesterol in our arteries could prevent blood from getting to parts of our heart. That means that our heart won't get the oxygen and nutrients it needs, which could result in heart attack, stroke, or sudden death. So, if your LDL is higher than your HDL, you're at a greater risk for developing heart disease.

It may come as a surprise, but recent studies have shown that the amount of cholesterol in our food is not strongly linked to our blood cholesterol levels. It's the types of fats you eat that affect your blood cholesterol levels.

Bad Fats - There are two fats that you should limit your intake of-saturated and trans fats.

Saturated Fats - Saturated fats are mostly animal fats. You find them in meat, whole-milk products, poultry skin, and egg yolks. Coconut oil also has a high amount of saturated fat. Saturated fats raise both the good and bad blood cholesterol.

Trans Fats - Trans fats are produced through hydrogenation-heating oils in the presence of oxygen. Many products contain trans fats because the fats help them maintain a longer shelf life. Margarine also contains a high amount of trans fats. Trans fats are especially dangerous because they lower the good cholesterol, HDL and raise the bad cholesterol, LDL. Unfortunately, most products do not tell you how much trans fat it contains, but you can find out if it's in a product by looking at the ingredient list. If the ingredients contain hydrogenated or partially-hydrogenated oils, then it contains trans fats. Fortunately in 2006, manufacturers will be required to list the amount of trans fat in their products on the nutrition labels, so it will be easier for you to find.

Good Fats - Some fats actually improve cholesterol levels.

Polyunsaturated Fats - Polyunsaturated fats are found in sunflower, corn, and soybean oils. These oils contain Omega-6, an essential fatty acid. However, most people get enough Omega-6 in their diet and instead need more Omega-3. Omega-3 is a fatty acid found in fish and walnuts.

Monounsaturated Fats - Monounsaturated fats are found in canola, peanut, and olive oils.

Both types of unsaturated fats decrease the bad cholesterol, LDL and increase the good cholesterol, HDL.

Now, just because the unsaturated fats improve your blood cholesterol levels, you don't have the go-ahead to eat all of the olive oil, butter and nuts you want. Fat of any kind does contain calories, and if you're trying to lose weight, eat fat in moderation, and stay away from saturated fats.

Arnel Ricafranca
Fitness Expert/Personal trainer
Founder of Fitness VIP
Online personal fitness trainer
http://www.fitness-vip.com

If you would like additional support and coaching along the way - I strongly suggest you take a peak at my online "member's only" site at http://www.fitnessgenerator.com/fitness-vip - as what we have for you there can definitely help you make progress fast.

Sign up for my fitness newsletter and receive my five special reports ($50 value).

SPECIAL REPORT #1:
6 Keys To Getting Maximum Results In Minimum Time With Your Home Exercise Equipment

SPECIAL REPORT #2:
The 8 Keys to Golf Fitness Success

SPECIAL REPORT #3:
How to Build The Perfect Athlete For Any Sport: The 6 Secrets of Successful Sport-Specific Conditioning

SPECIAL REPORT #4:
Solving the Supplement Mystery: Is There A Magic Pill Out There For You?

SPECIAL REPORT #5:
16 Tips For Looking And Feeling Better Than You Have In Years:

Get it now at http://www.fitness-vip.com


MORE RESOURCES:

USA Today

Weight-loss camps invite families to come along
USA Today - 6 hours ago
By Valerie Bauman, AP PAUL SMITHS, NY — It took Kelsey Galer four weeks at a weight-loss camp to lose 9 pounds. It took her dad just three days to start ...


Ashlee Simpson Buys Tiny Jeans to Inspire Weight Loss
Actress Archives, NY - 11 hours ago
Ashlee Simpson has bought six pairs of size zero jeans to motivate her to lose weight. The singer – who is expecting her first child with husband Pete Wentz ...


Weight loss surgery can leave saggy skin
WRAL.com, NC - 6 hours ago
While weight loss surgery can be a life-changing and life-saving experience for many people, the after-effect can leave problems with sagging skin. ...


(Neb.)-Heiser Reaches End of Weight Loss Fund Raiser
KCSR, NE - 13 hours ago
The Weight Loss Fund Raiser is officially over. I have been losing weight for the past 25 weeks as a fund raiser for our youth golf program. ...


Wrexham couple celebrate huge weight loss
Evening Leader, UK - 13 hours ago
By Matt Sims A WREXHAM couple are celebrating losing a combined eight stone after joining a weight loss group. Jamie Marshall and Charlotte Roberts, ...


Author Finds 'Perfect' Weight Loss Recipe
Sun-Sentinel.com, FL - 22 hours ago
She scheduled appointments with a medical doctor and a therapist, "not realizing at the time that those two acts were going to result in my weight loss. ...


The Weight Loss Program Posted By: Anonymous
Mangalorean.com, India - Aug 27, 2008
She introduces herself as a representative of the weight loss company. The sign reads: "If you can catch me, you can have me." Without a second thought, ...


Ultimate Weight Loss Race filmed at Bill Bates Ranch
McKinney Courier Gazette, TX - Aug 27, 2008
"The Ultimate Weight Loss Race" is slated to kick off during the week of Sept. 8 on CBS. The show will be part of the seventh season for the Dr. Phil show. ...


Killing whales only way to measure weight loss: Japan
Sydney Morning Herald, Australia - Aug 26, 2008
JAPANESE scientists are claiming vindication for their controversial lethal research whaling with a discovery that Antarctic minke whales are fast growing ...


5 Tips for Maintaining Weight Loss
WFLX Fox 29, FL - Aug 27, 2008
Laura's been giving me great advice for weeks and I knew she'd be the perfect person to talk to about maintaining weight loss. She originally took four ...

Weight-Loss - Google News

Weight Loss | Weight Loss Diet | Weight Loss Diet Pills | Weight Loss Blog | Weight Loss Articles | SiteMap
Diet Pills: Diet Pills | Hoodia | Phentermine | Prescription Diet Pills
Diet Plans: Diet Plan | Medifast | High Fiber Diet | High Protein Diet