 ASK
OUR EXPERTS...
Do fats make you fat?
By Monica Hirai of Hirai Health Services Fats must be thought
of in two ways: what kind and how much.
The kind of fat you are eating includes either saturated or unsaturated.
Generally, animal fats are saturated fats and vegetable fats are unsaturated
fats. Trans fats have had a lot of press and they are really fats that have
been altered artificially rendering them useless and toxic to the body. The
best fats are fats that remain liquid at room temperature, which are the
vegetable fats. They tend to be more “fluid” and will not clog arteries.
On the other hand, animal fats have also had a bad rap and we’ve been
infiltrated with the “low fat diet” scheme. This “diet” has not helped
people stay thin, to the contrary, people, including children, are fatter
than ever! Carbohydrates have been making people fat on this “low fat” diet.
Are carbohydrates the culprit? NO!
Let’s consider fats and where people live. For instance, in colder climates,
animal fats can actually help you to stay warm because it is a slow-burning
fuel (think of the Eskimos eating whale blubber). If you live in California,
eating animal fat doesn’t make sense because the temperature is very mild.
Carbohydrates, especially from grains, are best when you are active
physically. They tend to give you quick energy up to a few hours. Fats in
comparison are a more stable energy over many hours. Proteins do as well,
but not as long as fats. Fiber also keeps the blood sugars stable.
When you eat a balanced diet, for your body type, applicable to the
environment you live in, fats give energy not fat. But even the most
diligent must take care of two things, to burn fat as fuel and not store it
in your body.
The thyroid gland sets the rate at which the fats in your body will combust,
so if it is too low you will put on weight. Feed your thyroid with any
seaweed of your choice or take a herbal supplement.
Your liver helps you digest fats by making bile. Bile acts like soap to
break the fats into tiny droplets so that they can be broken down easier by
enzymes.
So in summary, eating fat is really good for you. Just ensure you eat the
right kind, considering the temperature you live in, and the right amount,
plus keep your thyroid and liver fit.
For more details on cleansing, contact Monica
Hirai - Certified Herbalist/Holistic Practitioner, Colon Hydrotherapist - at
Hirai Health Services at 403.276.5756
www.hiraihealth.com
|
