3 Reasons To Eat Healthy Fats
Healthy fats are the essential fats needed for our bodies to function, not the kind most people think of when they hear the word “fat”. Foods that include healthy fats are avocados, organic raw nuts, organic coconut and olive oils, organic grass-fed butter, wild-caught fish, and organic hemp, chia, and flax seeds. These foods help to nourish our bodies and have many health benefits. They help minimize the risk of cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, eczema, and depression. These foods aren’t just for adults, healthy fats are good and beneficial for the whole family. Below, I’ve listed a few reasons why eating them yourself and feeding them to your little ones is beneficial.
To nourish your brain.
Healthy fats are essential for a healthy brain. The human brain is made up of about 60% fat, which means it is so important to intake healthy fats through our diet. Omega 3 fatty acids are healthy fats found in walnuts, fish like salmon and mackerel, seeds like chia, hemp, and flax. They are important for cell membrane function and studies show these essential fats are beneficial for mental development in infants. The amount of these fats found in the umbilical cord correlates with the mental development of children even after infancy. In children, low levels of essential fats are linked to ADHD, autism, and depression. Low levels of essential fats in adults correlate with low levels of intelligence and studies show that good fats help to reverse mental disorders like depression.
To reduce the risk of heart disease.
Healthy fats can help to reduce the risk of heart disease by reducing blood cholesterol levels. Omega-3s in particular have been shown to lower blood pressure, control blood cholesterol and fat levels as well as reduce inflammation. Studies even show that taking an omega-3 fish oil supplement 3 times a week after having a heart attack can reduce the risk of another by 50%.
To nourish your skin.
Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids are important for skin health because they help to build the skin's natural oil barrier. This barrier is important to protect our skin from elements like the sun and studies show that omega-3s help to increase hydration, increase smoothness and reduce skin sensitivity. Most of us are getting plenty of Omega-6 fatty acids through foods like chicken and grains but not enough Omega-3s. For these fatty acids to help our skin it is important for them to be in balance, meaning we need to be taking in equal amounts of each. Avocados also include healthy fats that help to moisturize the skin and reduce inflammation, helping with problems like acne, dermatitis, and eczema.
One easy way to increase your omega-3 intake is to add flax seed mill to your breakfast. You can add it to yours and your little one's oatmeal, smoothie, or cereal. Adding avocado to a smoothie or eating a handful of walnuts for a snack are two other easy ways to increase your healthy fat intake.