Do fats make you fat?

The simple answer to a complicated question is, NO. However, fats are the most calorie dense macronutrient at 9 calories per gram so they are easier to overeat, which can cause fat gain. In moderation, fats are essential to the body as they provide us with a form of energy, regulate hormones, and help with vitamin absorption.

Some fats are healthier than others, but what does this mean? We’ll break down the types of fats and which to prioritize below.

Types of Fats

Saturated fats are mostly found in animal products like meat and dairy. Saturated fats are linked to increased risk of heart disease, but only when consumed in excess- so don’t limit them totally.

Unsaturated Fats

Monounsaturated fats are mostly found in nuts, avocados, and olive oil which contain healthy Omega-9 fatty acids. Our body produces these on its own, making it a non-essential fatty acid, but it can still be helpful to consume them from food.

Polyunsaturated fats are mostly found in fish, nuts, seeds, and oils. The two primary polyunsaturated fats are Omega-3 and Omega-6. These are essential fats meaning our body does not produce them on its own.

Omega-6 is the counterpart to Omega-3 and is widely consumed in our diets through a range of foods. Too much Omega-6 along with insufficient Omega-3 causes inflammation which can promote disease.

This one reason, among many, is why we reinforce Omega-3 as an essential healthy fat to add to your diet.

Omega-3 Benefits

Omega-3 fatty acids are found in many natural sources, but most prominently in cold-water fish like Salmon, Mackerel, Anchovy, Herring, and Sardines. Omega-3 fats come in the form of long chain fatty acids DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid) and EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid).

The benefits to increasing the amount of Omega-3 fatty acids in your diet are:

• Lowers risk of disease (especially heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes).
• Improves cholesterol levels by lowering LDL (bad cholesterol) and increasing HDL (good cholesterol).
• Improves bone health which in turn reduces symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis, joint swelling and pain.
• Increases cognition and brain health. This includes memory, attention, reaction time, and reduced age-related mental decline.
• Improves mood by reducing feelings of anxiety and depression.
• Increases muscle gain and fat loss.
• Improves skin and hair health.

If you are not getting the 2+ servings per week of fatty, cold-water fish (Salmon, Mackerel, Anchovy, Herring, Sardine, etc.) that the American Heart Association recommends, you can benefit from taking a quality Omega-3 supplement like Modern Source Omega exclusive to Nutrishop Omaha!

Each pill contains roughly two grams of healthy Omega-3 fatty acids which is in line with the current recommendation of .5 to 1.8 grams for adequate intake, with higher doses being beneficial!

You can get Omega-3 fish oil pills at many stores, but unlike most, Modern Source Omega goes the extra mile to ensure the purity and freshness of our fish oil product. We only source from high quality, wild-caught fish.

Smart supplementation can be the key to rounding out your healthy diet and helping you feel and perform your best!