Fats For Health

Now that the Christmas rush (and excess) has past, our minds very often turn to New Year’s resolutions, the most popular of which are usually to eat more healthily or to lose some weight.

For generations we have been told that to lose weight, we need to lose fat. That ‘fat makes us fat’, but the truth is that globally our fat intake is lower than it has been for many years but yet our rates of obesity just keep on rising! Newer research is now telling us that for us to lose weight and excess fat, we actually need to eat fat because the right types of fats are essential to our health and wellbeing.

The ‘Essential’ Omega 3 and 6 fats are termed essential because our body needs them to function properly but we cannot make them ourselves, we have to eat them in our diet. Healthy fats are needed for cognitive function and skin health, they are a concentrated source of energy, and help to maintain all of our cell membranes. We need fats for our nervous system to work properly and for our immune system. We need fats for hormone production and for our hormone receptors to work efficiently and they are crucially important to heart health. Fats provide insulation and keep us warm, they make our food taste delicious and without them, we are unable to absorb the important fat soluble vitamins A, E, D and K.

Cold pressed oils are a healthy source of the Omega 3, 6 and 9 fats which retain all of their flavour, aroma, and nutritional value because heat is not used during the extraction process which can damage the delicate oils. One such oil is Rapeseed Oil which has long been used in vegetable oils but is now being produced as a pure oil in the UK and has really grown in popularity.

The Cold Pressed Oil Company’s award winning rapeseed oil can be used in cooking because it is safe to heat at high temperatures or it can be drizzled on salad dressing or used in marinades or to make dips like hummus or pesto. It is low in saturated fat and it contains omegas 3, 6 and 9, which in the right balance, are thought to aid health in the following ways (see below). In fact Rapeseed oil is thought to have 10 times as much Omega 3 than olive oil and is a great source of Vitamin E. It is rich in healthy mono-unsaturated fats, contains no preservatives, additives or GM and is suitable for vegans and vegetarians.

Omega-6 fatty acids help to stimulate skin and hair growth, maintain bone health, regulate metabolism, and balance the hormonal and reproductive system. Research shows that omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation and may help to lower the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and arthritis. They are highly concentrated in the brain and appear to be important for cognitive function. Omega 9 fatty acids are thought to help lower LDL ('bad') cholesterol and raise HDL ('good') cholesterol. They are also thought to play a role in controlling blood sugar. Vitamin E is a natural anti-oxidant, protecting our cells from damage, studies have shown its benefit in heart disease, the immune system and eye health. It is needed for the production of prostaglandins which regulate blood pressure, muscle function and reproduction.

For more information on The Cold Pressed Oil Company’s Rapeseed oil and rapeseed oil products and recipes go to www.coldpressedoil.co.uk