What are Fatty Acids?

Fats help carry soluble vitamins through body. Fats are digested slowly like complex Carbs, and contribute to the feeling of being full.

Good Fats And Bad Fats - Cholesterol and Triglycerides

Essential Fatty acids and Vegetarian India

There are four types of fats found in foods: Saturated, Monounsaturated, Polyunsaturated, and transfats.

Saturated Fats

Saturated fats are usually solid at room temperature and are linked to Cholesterol and heart disease. Primary source are Ghee, Butter, Coconut and Palm oil. Some sources are not so obvious such as Milk, Yogurt and Cheese.

Monounsaturated Fats

These are found in plant foods such as Olive oil, Corn oil. Monounsaturated fats contain Omega 9 essential fatty acids. These fats help reduce Cholesterol.

Omega 9

Omega 9 are essential fats. However, these can be readily made by human body from other essential fats. Two fats are of special interest

Oleic Acid (18:1)

Erucic Acid (22:1)

Polyunsaturated Fats

These fats are found in plant foods, fish, and ocean algae. Polyunsaturated fats contain Omega 6 and Omega 3 essential fatty acids. These fats help reduce Total Cholesterol, LDL (Bad Cholesterol), and may increase HDL (Good Cholesterol).

ARA, and DHA are important for fetal brain and vision development. You can buy the baby formula with these additives.

Omega 6

LA Linoleic Acid (18:2)

ARA Arachidonic Acid (20:4)

Omega 3

Omega 3 Acids and the elderly

Omega Acids in Nuts and oils

ALA Alpha-Linolenic (18:3)

EPA Eicsapentaenoic Acid (20:5)

DHA Docosahexaenoic Acid (22:6)

Trans Fats

Trans are made via hydrogenation process of Polyunsaturated fats so that oils are solid at room temperature. Examples are Vanaspati and Hard Margarine. These fats should be avoided. It is illegal in New York city to use Trans fats in cooking by Food Service organizations.

Trans fats also occur in very small amounts in animal fats.

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