Tag: omega-3 fats

by on

Why the right type of fat matters

While most people may believe that all fats are not healthy for you, fats that we consume on a daily basis can actually be quite healthy.

Well-sourced fats (saturated, monounsaturated, and some polyunsaturated) can be a prime source of energy and keep us satiated for long periods of time. As our cell membranes are mostly made out of fats, eating the right fats is a top priority that you shouldn’t skip out on. Saturated fat (found in coconut oil, butter, lamb and beef tallow, for instance) is important to cellular function and to a large number of hormonal and metabolic activities. Chemically-altered fats are the fats to avoid. Also, we want to watch our consumption of healthy omega-6 polyunsaturated fats (like in raw nuts and seeds), as we want to strive to have an omega-6-to-omega-3 ratio under 4:1, as mentioned in my post about Why We Must Consume Omega-3 Fats. So what are the fats and oils to consume?

Sidenote: Oils are composed of fats. When you think of cooking oils, think fats.

The 10 “Primal-approved fats and oils”

These are fats and oils listed in The New Primal Blueprint, by Mark Sisson.

  • Animal fats: Chicken, duck, or goose fat; lard (pork fat); beef or lamb tallow; recycled bacon grease; and other animal fats. All these are great for cooking as they don’t oxidize at high temperatures.
  • Avocado oil: a mostly monounsaturated fat like olive oil, but with a high smoke point of 400 degrees (204 degrees C), so we can cook with it, which is what I buy avocado oil for.
  • Butter: great for cooking with too.
  • Coconut oil: another awesome choice to cook with.
  • Dark roasted sesame oil: because of its strong flavor, it works great in wok recipes.
  • High-omega-3 oils: these would be borage, cod liver, krill, salmon, and hemp seed oils. Great on cold dishes like salads. You can learn more about omega-3 fats in the following post: Why We Must Consume Omega-3 Fats.
  • Macadamia nut oil: this is another oil with a high smoke point (413 degrees F or 210 degrees C), great for cooking (or drizzle over food).
  • Marine oils: these refer to the high-quality fish and krill oils that we consume as supplements usually. For instance, every day I take Carlson fish oil.
  • Olive oil: extra virgin (and first cold press) only. It can be used for cooking, but only at low temperatures. Otherwise, it is great for dressings and to drizzle over food. You can learn more about olive oil’s health benefits in the following post: Olive Oil: a Daily Wellness Must.
  • Palm oil: unprocessed palm oil only can be used for cooking with too.

In summary


All the above oils are primal-approved, provided they are high-quality, well-sourced oils (the recommended animal fats have to be from pasture-raised animals). Knowing the above, it is easier to bypass the traditional vegetable/seed oils (canola, corn, soy, safflower, sunflower). These vegetable/seed oils are easily damaged by exposure to light, heat, oxygen, without even mentioning cooking itself.

Among the primal-approved fats, certain fats will probably work better for you than others, so always stay tuned to how your body reacts to what you are consuming. Now to your favorite fat(s) and happy cooking!

Reference

Sisson, Mark. The New Primal Blueprint : Reprogram Your Genes for Effortless Weight Loss, Vibrant Health, and Boundless Energy. Oxnard, Ca, Primal Blueprint Publishing, 2017, pp. 241–43.

You can also find me on Instagram.

by on


Why consume omega-3 fats?

The importance of omega-3 fats is unquestionable due to the numerous health benefits that come from them. Omega-3 fats are polyunsaturated fats. Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are the three main types. As stated in Keto Answers, we must consume omega-3 fats because they are a major contributor to cellular function. Omega-3 fats have an important part in maintaining our heart health, blood vessels, lungs, immune system/gut, and endocrine system. They help reduce inflammation and joint pain. Omega-3 fats also have a strong impact on the health of our brain (as the brain is 60 percent fat and half of that is the omega-3 fat DHA).

What are good sources of omega-3 fats?

As mentioned in my previous post, Which Fish are Okay to Buy, omega-3 fatty acids can be found in fish. You can get a high amount of omega-3 fats in the following fish:

  • Salmon
  • Herring 
  • Sardines
  • Trout 
  • Oysters 
  • Anchovies

You can also get a good amount of omega-3 fats from:

  • Flax seeds
  • Chia seeds
  • Walnuts 
  • Grass-fed/grass-finished beef

My omega-3 index and omega-6-to-omega-3 ratio

Last month, I decided to have my omega-3 index and my omega-6-to-omega-3 ratio checked by ordering the test from Life Extension. I was happy to find out that my omega-3 index is 9.56% (the optimal range being between 8% and 12%) and my omega-6-to-omega-3 ratio is 3.5:1 (the optimal range being under 4:1). There is still room for improvement, and this test is a nice way for me to see that I can add a little extra fish/krill oil to my daily regimen and consume more of the foods mentioned above.

Were you aware of the importance of omega-3 fats? What are your favorite omega-3-fat-rich foods?

References

Dinicolantonio, James, and Joseph Mercola. Super Fuel : Ketogenic Keys to Unlock the Secrets of Good Fats, Bad Fats, and Great Health. Carlsbad, California, Hay House Inc, 2018, pp. 170, 173.

Gundry, Steven R. The Plant Paradox Quick and Easy : The 30-Day Plan to Lose Weight, Feel Great, and Live Lectin-Free. New York, Ny, Harper Wave, An Imprint Of Harpercollinspublishers, 2019, p. 155.

Gustin, Anthony, and Chris Irvin. Keto Answers : Simplifying Everything You Need to Know about the World’s Most Confusing Diet. Middletown, De, Four Pillar Health, 2019, pp. 253–260.

You can also find me on Instagram.