Antioxidant Oils, and Essential of Fats to Our Body

Fats! Just the mere thought of this word sends chills down the spine of many ... but the truth of the matter is, that our body need fats or oils (that is, fats in the liquid form).

As much as some hate to admit, fats is one of the essential nutrients our body need!

Why is fats or oils essential to our body?

Here are some of the reasons:

They are needed in energy production
The infamous cholesterol (a type of fats/lipids) are required as a building block for our cells - our cell membranes.
They also provide cushion to our organs, protecting our organs from shocks
They are also a means of transportation for nutrients - fat-soluble nutrients, such as Vitamin D and K, and carotenoids - dutifully carrying these nutrients to our cells
Helps keep us warm (winter are times when we gives thanks to fats!)

So, how then does Fats or Oils act as antioxidant?

It is when the fats or oils we consume, contains antioxidants that they become Antioxidant Oils/Fats. Hence, the antioxidant health benefits of the oils depends on what the oil is derived from.

Olive Oils ... Antioxidants Rich

That said, fats/oils itself has nutritional values and health benefits (and is essential to our health!), as stated above, but additionally has antioxidant values when they are produced/derived from ingredients that has antioxidant nutrient.

Generally speaking, those that the body produces will not have antioxidant nutrient. This is one example, where antioxidants, needs to be obtained from diets and/or supplements.

Types of Fats or Oils

Fats found in our body - namely the "lipids":

1. Triglycerides (= the fat we know)

2. Phospholipids

3. Sterols (example is the “cholesterol” - Triglyceride’s infamous cousin)

Fats/oils categorization:

Unsaturated Fats
Saturated Fats

Whether they are good or bad oils, is not judged by their degree of saturation.

Some fats are produced by the body - such as cholesterol.

Some must be obtained from the diets - such as polyunsaturated fats, Omega 3.

Omega 3 ... Capsules

Examples of Health Benefits of Fats or Oils

prevent heart diseases
prevent, and dissolve, plaque formation - and hence, stroke prevention
regulate blood clotting (Omega 3-6-9)
anti-aging
anti-inflammatory (EPA in Omega 3)

Omega 3 - Anti-Inflammatory

Interesting Facts

Fats consumption for a healthy adult, is recommended to be up to 30% of total calories.

This just goes to show, how essential fat is to our body.

In any case, moderation is always key, and one must know how one's body respond to fats/oils in take and adjust the "standard recommendation" accordingly.

Some Precaution

Omega 3,6,9 has to be in the correct ratios for us to get the maximum health benefits from them
Linoleic acid (LA) (found in Omega 6) taken in excess can lead to inflammation
May affect those allergic to fish and seafood if the source of the Omega 3-6-9 oils are from fish and seafood.
In rare instances, Omega 3-6-9 oils may cause blood clotting.