Are unsaturated fats good for you?

In a word: Yes.

The research has clearly proven just how good fat is for you. As with everything you choose to eat, it is the quality of the fats that's important. We've come to know that unsaturated fats, especially monounsaturated fats like Omega 3 fats, actually help prevent disease.

Researchers studied 815 senior citizens to evaluate the role diet might play in Alzheimer's Disease. They found a clear correlation between diets high in saturated fat and trans fats and the risk of Alzheimer's Disease. The results showed almost double the risk of Alzheimer's dementia in those eating the most of these types of fats. Arch N 2003;60:194-200)

Interestingly, total fat didn't matter, but eating more fats from vegetable sources appeared to protect those in the study from developing Alzheimer's. Eating a higher proportion of polyunsaturated to saturated fats was also key to prevention. The research showed that consuming more unsaturated fats even blunts the risks of eating a higher percentage of trans fats.

There's thousands of studies that draw similar conclusions - not just about Alzheimer's but also heart disease, diabetes and cancer. It's not fat that is the issue, it is the type of fat. Getting more unsaturated fats, especially monounsaturated fats, helps prevent disease.

One of the best sources we have for unsaturated fats are nuts and seeds or their oils. While these ingredients do have a lot of calories, this may not be as much of an issue (good quality calories = good quality health). Even when using all the oil or nuts as they wanted, those in another study didn't gain any weight (Ann Int Med 2006:45;1-11). During the research, two groups received either as much extra virgin olive oil or nuts as they wished. They were encouraged to use these high fat, high calorie ingredients as liberally as they wished. Interestingly, there was no weight gain with the users of nuts and olive oil proving once again that eating healthy is about the quality of the calories you consume.

The studies on Omega-3 fats from fish alone are the most compelling, showing that they both prevent and treat disease, and those fish with the highest levels of monounsaturated fats have been shown to be protective.

Good fats are quality calories and make for good eating. The best part is that there are a lot of great foods to choose from.

Fish

Here are the approximate amounts of Omega-3 fats per 120g serving. (120 g of fish/meat is about the size of a deck of cards and is just over four ounces.)

Oils / Fats

Olive oil - This is the prototype of "healthy" fats and is well established as being really good for you. You should always measure your fats and oils and use them carefully.

Get yourself a good quality extra virgin olive oil for making salads, dressings, sauces and the like. Use less expensive olive oils for cooking. Using an oil sprayer is great because it lets you easily coat a pan or a food without using a lot of oil.

Canola oil - It is a great choice for cooking and baking (and it's less expensive).

Nuts / Seeds

Take your pick here. There is a mountain of research on almost every kind of nut or seed now, from walnuts to almonds to pistachios and beyond. While a lot of the studies have often been funded by the growers, the conclusions are particularly compelling. Keep a small amount of nuts on hand for use in recipes. Purchase raw, unsalted nuts and seeds and keep them in plastic containers tightly closed.

Misc.

Avocados are full of monounsaturated fat. While they are technically a fruit, these lovely guys are a great source of really healthy, great quality calories. They also have a lot of fiber.

Olives, like avocados, are also a fruit and chock full of not just flavor but great quality monounsaturated fats.