A body fat measurement is recognized as the superior method for
measuring "weight loss”. When one declares that they want to
"lose weight", what they often mean is that they want to lose
fat. So, now that you've had your body fat percentage measured,
what does the number really mean?
First, your body fat percentage is simply the percentage of fat
your body contains. If you are 100 pounds and 10% fat, it means
that your body consists of 10 pounds fat and 90 pounds lean body
mass (bone, muscle, organ tissue, blood and everything else).
Fat is essential for functioning of many body parts. Fat
regulates body temperature, cushions and insulates organs,
lubricates joints, balance our hormones and tissues and is the
main form of the body's energy storage. In fact, the fat
naturally found in whole foods is fat you actually need for your
body to function properly.
Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) are fats that must be in a diet for
good health. They are principally gained from vegetable oils.
EFAs are necessary fats that humans cannot produce on their own,
and must be obtained through diet. EFAs are long-chain
polyunsaturated fatty acids derived from linolenic, and oleic
acids such as sunflower oil. They are liquid at room
temperature. There are two families of EFAs: Omega-3 and
Omega-6. Omega-9 is necessary yet "non-essential" because the
body can manufacture a modest amount on its own, provided
essential EFAs are present. The number following "Omega-"
represents the position of the first double bond, counting from
the terminal methyl group on the molecule. Omega-3 fatty acids
are derived from Linolenic Acid, Omega-6 from Linoleic Acid, and
Omega-9 from Oleic Acid.
The culprit of weight gain, refined carbohydrates, can be found
in processed foods high in sugar. You might disagree with the
sugar but that is true. Refined carbohydrates add on extra
pounds through their high glycemic index, which means they cause
a quick surge in blood sugar. The sugar is then stored in muscle
and if it is not used it turns into fat.
The irony is that the food you take thinking that it is not
helping you to be fat is actually “artificially” been made to be
low fat. Do you know what they usually put in when they take out
the fat? Sugar. Fat does not make you fat. In fact, you need the
essential fatty acids found in fat to live. Sugar is one of the
biggest contributing factors to what makes you fat.
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