Part of maintaining a healthy heart is watching what foods we eat. Avoiding foods that are high in sodium, high in cholesterol, or contain trans fat all contribute to a healthy diet. It had been debated for some time whether or not saturated fat was considered healthy or something that should be avoided. A recent study conducted by a group of researchers at the University of Cambridge showed that saturated fats were not a factor in increasing one’s chances of developing heart disease.
This finding changes the way people have looked at certain foods. We no longer need to debate whether to use margarine or butter! The study suggests that it makes little to no difference which one you choose to make a part of your diet. However, you should be aware that many sources of saturated fats carry a risk of being filled with pesticides and insecticides. Always be careful when picking up these foods and look out for the more wholesome brands that avoid using pesticides and insecticides in their products. Examine the label to ensure your foods ingredients are pesticide-free–look for items labeled as smart, range-free, or organic.
While many people think of fats in general as something to be avoided, they don’t realize that fats are an important part of our diets–they’re a major source of energy. When our bodies take in excess calories, they convert the calories into fat to be used up later. Fats are also essential to dissolving vitamins that nourish the body. Monosaturated fats and polysaturated fats improve heart health by improving blood cholesterol levels. These fats are usually liquids at room temperature and include olive oil and sunflower oil. Keeping a healthy balance of fat in your diet is important to maintaining heart health.
ReactDx Inc. is proud to promote heart health. To find out more about maintaining a healthy heart and learning about a heart healthy lifestyle, contact us or visit our website to find out more.
