Many people have the idea that ingesting fat will lead to their body putting on more fat. While there is some truth to this, it is also important to understand why this idea is not entirely true and mostly false. While there are some subcategories of fat that need to be restricted, there are many forms of fat that need to be embraced for a multitude of benefits to the body. Among the forms of fat necessary for the health of the human body, essential fatty acids are seriously under consumed in the majority of people. Other forms of fat are typically strayed away from, such as saturated fat. However, there is a certain amount of each subcategory of fat that is not only necessary but beneficial to the body in a number of ways. Below are the biggest reasons why you need to insert more fats into your daily diet and not be too fearful of others for specific purposes.
Muscle Cell Repair
It is common knowledge that protein is required for the repair of muscle tissue after it has been broken down. However, protein is only one half of the equation; while protein repairs muscle tissue from the inside of the cell, essential fats compose the outer portion of the cell. Therefore, in order to repair muscle tissue completely and effectively, essential fatty acids are absolutely necessary.
Hormonal Function
While abundant amounts of saturated fats are responsible for adding excess fat in one’s body, the right amount of saturated fat is quite beneficial to the production of testosterone, the muscle building and fat burning hormone in the body. The average male should take in 30 grams of saturated fat per day, while the average woman should take in no more than 20 grams of saturated fat per day. Of course, there are individual factors that come into play; those who are highly active are able to take in slightly greater amounts of saturated fat while those looking to lose body fat will have to restrict their saturated fat intake. Monounsaturated fats are also essential to the diet and work to enhance preexisting testosterone levels. Studies prove that diets containing high levels of polyunsaturated fats lead to lower testosterone. It is important to maintain a combination of these fats as well as EFA’s (Omega-3 Omega-6) for optimal results and hormone balance.
Fat Loss
Many people believe that fat intake through diet will lead to additional fat being stored in the body; while this may be true when it comes to trans-fat (manufactured fat) and higher levels of saturated fat than required, this is not true for fat in general. The body hoards fat when fat is not ingested through one’s diet. In order to prevent the hoarding of fat in the body one must have the proper intake of fat per day. Fat intake is the primary macronutrient focus of the Ketogenic diet, as it consists of high fat, moderate protein, and excessively low carbohydrate intake.
