The importance of dietary fat

Protein and carbs are always talked about in fitness blogs and magazines however, dietary fats are always missed.  Dietary fats are very important for the following reasons.

1. Caloric dense- With 9 calories per gram fat is a more concentrated energy source than both protein and carbs.  In order to put on mass you need to be taking in lots of calories.  Because fat is so packed with calories it helps people who find putting on weight very hard, find it a lot easier.
2. Insulation- fat is essential for keeping the body warm and protecting vital organs from damage.
3. Hormone balancing- fat helps keep hormone levels in check and regulates blood glucose levels and insulin response.
4. Aids digestion- fat helps carry fat soluble nutrients to the body.

So what are the good sources of fat I should be eating?

1. Omega 3 fatty acids- salmon, soybean and flax seed oil
2. Monounsaturated fats- olive oil, cashews and almonds
3. Polyunsaturated fats- sunflower, soybean oils

As you can see fats are not to be neglected as they have their role in our bodies health.  Even saturated fats, yes that’s right saturated fats are great for testosterone production and keeping a strong skeleton.

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