Three main families of fatty acids
According to their chemical properties can have fatty acids classified into three large families. Each brings different benefits to our organization.
- Saturated fatty acids that are found mostly in animal fats (butter, cream) and, consumed in large quantities, increase cardiovascular risk. Plus they are present in fat, the more it is of solid consistency. They are also present in vegetable fats like coconut oil which is solid;
- The acid mono-unsaturated fat that is found mainly in olive oil, peanut, rapeseed and in pork fat. These fatty acids have a role in protecting our arteries;
- The fatty acids polyunsaturated present mainly in sunflower oil, grape seed, walnut, corn, soy, in oil seeds (peanuts, walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds, pistachios and fats in fish). These fatty acids will also have protective effects on our cardiovascular system since they reduce cholesterol, triglycerides and they prevent the aggregation of platelets.
Cholesterol: an animal
Only fatty animal make cholesterol. Lipids made by these products are important because they are involved in the synthesis of the nervous system, many hormones and other vital functions in our body.
It must therefore provide sufficient, but not too … and it is important to vary the intake of fatty acids and thus vary the fatty meal on one another or from one day to another.
Choose your oil
There are now on the market of oil from the mixture of several oils and provide a balance of different fatty acids.
The olive oil first cold pressing is the only oil that has retained its full-soluble vitamins as the only oil that is heated during its design.
The oil product from which the oils (peanut, walnut, olive …) provide the same fatty acids that the oil which they correspond but contain more fiber, vitamins and soluble minerals.