FAT, IT'S GOOD!

I often get asked about fat. How good or bad is it? Fat is needed. Without it, you would look old, you would have problems with natural joint and skin lubrication and you would not be able to assimilate the vitamins A and E in your diet. It's the kind of fat that is the issue. Let's start with Butter.

BUTTER

Butter is a dairy product and is high in saturated fat. Other 'experts' may say it causes heart disease and cholesterol problems. Actually butter is very nourishing to the body (in moderate amounts) and can be used in cooking without going rancid (within use by date). If you are allergic to dairy, you may want to steer clear, but maybe, as it is just fat, it may be fine. The butter I am talking about needs to be 100% butter and organic preferred.

COCONUT OIL

Coconut oil is excellent, especially with it's fatty acid profile. It may be saturated fat. But this saturated fat is not like any other saturated fat. This fatty profile warms the body and is very productive with weight loss (with moderate amounts). The amount to use would be a table spoon in smoothies, per day. As the fatty profile is saturated, it has a high smoke point without going rancid or carcinogenic in cooking. Other 'experts' say coconut oil and milk could cause heart problems, elevated blood pressure, and cholesterol issues. This is just scare mongering and is not true. Coconuts (coconut milk, coconut oil, coconut juice) are beneficial for the body. However, it has to be 'virgin', organic, or close to nature as possible.

NUT SEEDS SPREADS & MARGARINE

Nut Seeds Spreads and Margarine are always advertised as being beneficial for health, as they have 'heart loving' polyunsaturated oils. Margarine is actually black, when made, then finished with food dye. The nuts and seeds have been heated and therefore, are already rancid and possibly carcinogenic. Polyunsaturated oils have a low smoke point. The free radicals and trans fatty acids are created. This basically is one molecule away from being plastic. This "stuff" goes into the bloodstream and can cause plaque in the arteries amongst other things.

So the best oil to have for cooking is coconut, sesame, butter and ghee (glorified butter). The best for salads are, olive oil. As I have said before, Olive oil (extra virgin) is fine when slightly heated, but only on low heat. If you are cooking on high heat, add Celtic or Himalayan sea salt to the food afterwards.

There is a lot of recent media on Trans Fats. They are in baked goods, ice cream and everything you can think of. The use of them is cheap, and therefore better for the manufacturer. Trans Fats are nothing new and have been in your favourite foods for decades, since the 60's. If you see in the ingredient listing, "Partially Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil", "Vegetable Oil" or "Vegetable Fat", then it contains trans fat.

To reduce your consumption of trans fat, cook with better oils, read ingredient listings, and research. Take responsibility for your own health, your doctor won't.

HEALTH MATTERS

HEALTH QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

I am back from my Spring vacation. I never went anywhere. For this post, I have a special question and answer column that goes through some questions that people may have.

Q: I want to lose weight or maintain my weight, is eating after 7pm fine?
A: There is is this 'rule' that to maintain or to lose weight you can't eat after 7pm. The rule is false. You can eat after 7pm as long as you are hungry. If you are not hungry, don't eat. Another angle is that it depends on what you eat. If hunger does strike and you don't listen to your body, it will fall into starvation mode. Not good... So eat something that is wholesome like some carrot sticks, an apple, a piece of rye or sourdough toast or some dried fruit...up to you.

Q: Is drinking Diet drinks (Diet Sodas) good for my health?
A: Diet drinks in form of diet sodas are not good for the health of anyone. They are full of fake sugars, phosphoric acid, and colour. The fake sugars are detrimental to health, though the jury is still out on that one. The phosphoric acid is very acidic and can cause osteoporosis and other health problems. The colour that is sometimes used could be carcinogenic. So never drink the diet sodas nor sugared sodas and go to water or freshly done juices instead.

Q: How much water should I really drink?
A: It depends on the person, but a minimum is 2 litres, but can go up to 3-4 litres per day if in air conditioning or been exercising strenuously.

If you have any questions that need asking, please email me at timothyconnell@bigpond.com

Health Matters

SPRING IS IN THE AIR.

It is September and that means, Spring. It is the time for a spring clean for the body and mind. So for the the month of September, I will be writing about the season of Spring, and what to do to make it healthier. So it is out with the old and in with the new.

HOW SCARY!!

A friend of mine did a test on how the scalp (on your head) does absorb everything into the bloodstream, just like the skin on your face and body. She dyed her hair with a commercial hair product. She then tested her urine hours later through biological testing. They found ingredients of the hair dye in the urine. Which means anything you put on your head does go through to every part of the body some way or another. Which is scary, as hair dye has so many toxic chemicals that these are absorbed into the body. Scary!

VITAMIN C IS IT REALLY GOOD?

Yes. Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) is a vitamin that heals and is known to combat colds and flu. It is an antioxidant and natural food preservative. It protects the body from damage from 'free radicals'. In the past, there have been studies that show no actual benefits of vitamin C as benefiting health. However, the studies were with the Recommended Daily Allowance of 40 - 60mg (in the form of chewable tablets). Of course there would be no benefits. The body seems to do well with more than the 40 - 60mg, like in the form of 2000mg. This is a good level for health and well being. Vitamin C is prevalent in apples, lemons, oranges, grapes, watermelon, grapefruit, strawberries, kiwi fruits, berries, mangoes. Did you know, strawberries have more vitamin C than oranges. If you are limited in fruit, then tablets may be good, or the chewable ones may be preferred. The best ones are the Blackmores variety. So, for utmost health and well being, don't forget the Vitamin C. Remember, the vitamin is needed daily, and is not kept in the body like other vitamins and minerals may be.

Health Matters

FAT FREE FALLACY

I am being asked questions about whether 'fat free' is healthier than 'full fat'. My answer is that it depends. In a lot of commercial processed foods, the 'fat free' products have increased sugar content to counter balance the taste that is lost, as fat makes food taste that much better, and it makes you feel fuller longer. So the product is not at all healthier. It would have been easier for the fat to be added. However, in milk, the versions of 'skim' and 'lite' are preferred for easier digestion, and perhaps less 'on the hips'. But even if you have full cream milk, all fine in moderation, however, it is still a questionable food (drink) for human consumption. With salad dressing, it is best to go full fat (ie. Olive Oil, Sesame Oil, Macadamia Oil) as the fat better utilises the Vitamin A (Beta Carotene) from the salad for full utilisation in the body. We do need fat in our diets, but it has to be from good fats, such as; Olive Oil, Macadamia Oil, Sesame Oil, Coconut Oil, Avocados, Almonds, Macadamias, Sesame Seeds etc. If you have any questions, please write them in the 'comments' section (just a click).

YOUTHFUL BEAUTY With Olive Oil

My second post, and I thought I may make it a beauty spot. This with the help of Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) may be used in more culinary delights, but it's useful in skin and hair care too. The following tips are to help combat ageing naturally, and to create that youthful glow.

To increase skin's youthful look, why not dab some EVOO onto the face (whilst in the shower), then after ten mins, wash it off with your normal cleanser. Your skin will feel great. Finish off with your normal moisturiser (if you have to). Do this 2 - 3 times per week, especially with city living. Olive oil naturally cleanses the skin, and creates the balance your skin may need. You can try this Olive Oil tip for your body too, especially in Winter.

To increase the health of hair, put the EVOO in the hair, and leave for 15 minutes. Wash out with shampoo. Your hair will feel fine, shiny and healthy.

Health Matters