Hey...

I've read some people say on here that you should try to avoid the poly-unsaturated fats. I never heard of this before.

Why are mono-unsaturated fats better than poly-unsaturated fats? Are the poly-unsaturated fats nearly as bad as the saturated fats?

I heard eating some of the right fats, so the unsaturated fats could have a good effect on weightloss since it would help you keep your metabolism up. Is there a difference in this between the poly- and mono-unsaturated fats?

Thanks. :)

Hey...

Why are mono-unsaturated fats better than poly-unsaturated fats? Are the poly-unsaturated fats nearly as bad as the saturated fats?


MUFAs are thought to decrease LDL-C (the bad) and leave the HDL-C (the good) alone, whereas PUFAs are implicated in both lowering LDL-C and HDL-C. By contrast, saturated FAs raise both LDL-C and HDL-C. That's why the claim is that the greatest benefit is derived when the fats in your diet contain MUFAs, followed by PUFAs, followed by saturated FAs, and finally by trans- fats.

Ok, thanks. So about the weight and metabolism thing and these fats?

To be honest, when it comes to weight loss and the burning of calories all fat is the same. One fat over another will not increase your chances of weight loss. All oils, regardless of if they are saturated, polyunsaturated, or monounsaturated, have approximately 120 calories per tablespoon, and neither will directly improve your metabolic function.

Ubernier's reply is exactly correct - but I will expand on the polyunsaturated fats a bit. PUSF's are either Omega-6 or Omega-3 essential fatty acids. The desired ratio in a healthy diet is 2:1, meaning for every 2 grams of an Omega-6 you should consume 1 gram of an Omega-3. The problem is that the average american diet has a ratio of about 20:1 This is mostly due to all the vegetable oils (corn oil, cottonseed oil, safflower oil, etc) used in common cooking oils and margerines. Studies show that when you overconsume the Omega-6 fats and underconsume the Omega-3 fats, you have an increased risk of a variety of illnesses, including heart disease, skin conditions, and arthritis! People would greatly benefit by shifting the ratios back to 2:1 and this can be accomplished by choosing the right foods.

I'm talking about the effect it has on my metabolism. Weightloss isn't all about how many calories you get in. It's about the burning process as well.

maybe i should post on the weightloss board about this part of the issue.

Justme, I suppose you might get a different answer on the weight-loss board, but it is my understanding that your body will not metabolize one type of fat better than another. And ultimately, yes, it IS about calories when it comes to weight loss.

When I speak of ratios of carb/protein/fat, that is what improves and stabilizes metabolic function. Other things that improve metabolic function include eating at spaced intervals throughout the day and avoiding foods that cause your blood glucose to spike and fall. Finally, your metabolic function will improve if you eat the correct number of calories based on your activity level - and of course excercise key.

Regarding the quality of fats - If you eat 1 tablespoon of butter, 1 tablespoon of margerine, or 1 tablespoon of olive oil, it will have exactly the same impact on your weight - you will either burn those 120 calories or you won't. But the olive oil is better for your heart, circulation, and overall health, so it IS still the better choice.

Few oils are really MUFA, PUFA, or SFA but a mix of the three and the many subgroups of each.

I like the distribution of the Omega-3/Omega-6 in Canola oil and now use it for many things that don't require high heat. Overall, I think it's the best everyday liquid oil.
I replaced many of the former uses of olive oil with it.
All this is for health reasons.

For weight considerations a gram of fat is a gram of fat is 9 kcal. All will fatten you up to the same degree. For weight control, I try to limit all kind fats wherever possible.

[QUOTE=justme_]I'm talking about the effect it has on my metabolism. QUOTE]

There are undoubtedly many other places you could find info on this, but I remember a pretty good discussion in a book by Cliff Sheats. I think the Fat Flush book gets into it, too.

Thanks for the info guys :) i need to incorporate nuts and other protien into my diet for hair issues and im confused about the good fat/ bad fat thing. its hard when you are trying to lose weight and keep healthy - everything non fat is non healthy too!

Thanks for the info guys :) i need to incorporate nuts and other protien into my diet for hair issues and im confused about the good fat/ bad fat thing. its hard when you are trying to lose weight and keep healthy - everything non fat is non healthy too!

Thanks. So which oils contain omega 3 and omega 6 then? And how do you see how much you're getting in then like the 2-1 ratio?

jdmassidimo, what about omega 3's in fish oil? It has been documented by the "Zone" diet, ( I think Barry Sears) that fish oils will help the metabolism by quickly synthesizing glucose, or something like that. I know he believes it helps with burning glucose which benefits the metabolism. Doesn't that help with weight loss or does another site or book say something else? :rolleyes: :)

jdmassidimo, what about omega 3's in fish oil? It has been documented by the "Zone" diet, ( I think Barry Sears) that fish oils will help the metabolism by quickly synthesizing glucose, or something like that. I know he believes it helps with burning glucose which benefits the metabolism. Doesn't that help with weight loss or does another site or book say something else? :rolleyes: :)Fish oil has been shown to decrease insulin resistance, which means that people who are insulin resistant (from a variety of health problems including obesity, pre-diabetes, diabetes, thyroid disease, etc) will realize some metabolic benefit, in that their body's will use glucose more efficiently.

I would not go as far to say that fish oil will directly boost ones metabolism or speed up the burning of calories, especially in healthy individuals. It can, though, provide many health benefits, and perhaps prevent the onset of insulin resistance, heart disease, and other illnesses. That said, I would say that ANY improvement in health will actually help to boost the metabolism, so from that perspective it probably does help a little.

In summary, I would not go out and buy fish oil capsules in hopes that it will cause you to lose an extra 5 lbs next month... it likely won't happen. There are many other strategies that will have a greater impact on strengthening the metabolism.

Fish oil has been shown to decrease insulin resistance, which means that people who are insulin resistant (from a variety of health problems including obesity, pre-diabetes, diabetes, thyroid disease, etc) will realize some metabolic benefit, in that their body's will use glucose more efficiently.

I would not go as far to say that fish oil will directly boost ones metabolism or speed up the burning of calories, especially in healthy individuals. It can, though, provide many health benefits, and perhaps prevent the onset of insulin resistance, heart disease, and other illnesses. That said, I would say that ANY improvement in health will actually help to boost the metabolism, so from that perspective it probably does help a little.

In summary, I would not go out and buy fish oil capsules in hopes that it will cause you to lose an extra 5 lbs next month... it likely won't happen. There are many other strategies that will have a greater impact on strengthening the metabolism.
THANKS! :cool: