Fats are often viewed with a negative connotation in regards to health. They are associated with heart disease, high cholesterol, and obesity. In the past, diets have been based around trying to eliminate the amount of fats that are consumed. However, recent studies have discovered that they are actually necessary in order to remain healthy.

The different kinds of fats…

Fats are broken down into three groups- saturated fats, mono-unsaturated fats, and poly-unsaturated fats. Poly-unsaturated fats are then further broken down into two groups- omega 3 and omega 6 fats. Each type of fat is equally important to the body because the body uses the different types for different things. Most foods that are found in nature contain a combination of the three. Some foods that are high in saturated fats are butter, cheese, milk, and coconut. Foods that are high in mono-unsaturated fats include avocado, nuts, and olive oil.

Omega 3 and omega 6 fats are especially important because they contain essential fats that the body cannot make on its own, so you need to obtain them from an outside source. Ideally, the consumption of omega 6 to omega 3 fats should be in a 2:1 ratio. With a high consumption of omega 6 fats, it is important to try to balance the ratio by increasing consumption in omega 3 fats. Some foods that are high in omega 3 fats are walnuts, flax seeds, sardines, and cold water fish, such as salmon.

The bad fats…

Fats are good when they are natural and in unprocessed foods. They become bad after they are damaged by exposure to heat, light, and oxygen. Fats are often damaged during food processing, when they are exposed to the high heats and chemicals that are used by the manufacturers. Partial hydrogenation is a process that is used to give oils a longer shelf life, which damages the fats and creates Transfat. Transfat is a normal fat molecule that has been deformed during the hydrogenation process. It is not normal to the body, so the body does not know how to process it. Studies have linked Transfat with many health risks, including heart disease and cancer. Manufacturers are now required to include Transfat on nutrition labels. Some foods that contain this bad type of fat are margarine, fried fast food, doughnuts, and processed foods that contain partially hydrogenated oils.

How the good fats are excellent for your health…

* Fats are used in all parts of the human body. They compose 60% of the brain and are essential to brain functioning. This includes moods, memory retention, and learning abilities.
* The heart also uses fat to function. 60% of the heart’s energy comes from burning fat. It is also used to keep the heart beating on a regular rhythm.
* The lungs require a high level of saturated fats in order to work correctly and keep from collapsing.
* Fats insulate nerves and well-insulated nerves are able to transmit chemical signals faster.
* Fats help slow down the digestion process, which gives the body more time to absorb the food’s nutrients. This also keeps you feeling full longer.

How to get good fats into your diet…

Eating good fats is essential to a healthy diet and there are many ways to incorporate them into your meals. Eat natural foods that have not been through any processing with heat. This includes raw nuts, seeds, avocados, or olives. Cook with oils that have been processed as little as possible. Make your own salad dressings using pure oils. Make sure you get enough omega 3 fats into your diet. Avoid animal fats. And finally, avoid foods that contain partially hydrogenated oil.

There are always ways for us to be able to prepare for the so-called “golden years”. This is to ensure that life after retirement will definitely be just like a walk in the park – absolutely free from worries.

You have probably heard of most seniors getting stuck in an old folks home that they do not like , but are stuck with considering that they practically have no choice. This, and other seniors’ needs especially senior health care, can be well taken cared of if you will make the effort to start preparing for it now.

The usual way to go when it comes to preparing for retirement or taking care on health is by acquiring a retirement plan from life insurance companies. This kind of life insurance plan is best started as early as you start working. Why? Well the sooner you start, the sooner you premium will mature thus, the bigger benefits for you. While retirement plans give you just retirement money to you on whatever you please, there are also health plans available wherein you will also need to pay monthly premiums for some years to ensure that when you reach that certain age, you will certainly have someone or a place that will look out for you.

Considering that in Western countries it has never been a practice for the elders of the family to stay in their kids house, it is definitely a great idea to have a health plan ready , just so that you will be ready with whatever may happen to you in the future. Just think , heaven forbid, if you got sick and you do not have any means to pay for medical help, will you just be content in letting yourself weaker by the minute – and eventually die from sickness? Have a senior health care plan will prove to be of very good use to you whether or not you have a sickness that needs to be taken cared of. There are also some perfectly healthy seniors in old folks home too but they still avail of senior health care plans just to ensure that all their needs will be taken cared of – even something as simple as have the right vitamins.

These days, health care has actually grown into a big, big industry already wherein more and more institutions are being put up to cater to senior health care. Usually, clients are given the option to hire a private nurse that can stay in the clients home and work full time while there are also caregivers or nurses available to assist to the needs of seniors in old folks homes. But do not think that just because it is an old folks home, you will not be able to receive the as good senior health care as the kind offered by private nurses. Times have changed and old folks homes or communities are actually more modern and well maintained already so there is absolutely no reason to worry.