Zum Thema "gutes" und "böses" Fett:
http://www.westonaprice.org/knowyourfats/skinny_de.html


Und hier noch zu ungesättigten Fetten:
EFA - Can Heal or Kill!
What is the optimum daily intake of Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs)?
The issue of EFA intake remains controversial. EFAs are polyunsaturated long chain fat molecules which are building blocks for cellular membranes and prostaglandins that regulate numerous critical metabolic functions. It has been established that certain EFAs, in particular Omega 3 oils, are most beneficial in virtue of being anti-inflammatory, anti-cancerous, insulin sensitizers and brain neuroprotective. Some health experts recommend to increase EFA consumption, in particular Omega 3 oils. When it comes to EFAs, the idea that more is better is currently quite popular.

Fat guru Udo Erasmus recommends active individuals to increase consumption of essential oils and even use them as fuel for energy. According to Erasmus, EFAs are the most efficient fuel among all food compounds.

With all due respect, I'm quite concerned with the idea of high consumption of EFAs and for that matter, of any long chain fatty acid. Diets rich in polyunsaturated fats have been shown to deplete Vitamin E from the body. These long chain fat molecules possess highly reactive double bonds that have a high affinity to react with oxygen and thereby increase levels of free radicals. Reactive free radicals destroy tissues while increasing cross linkage of proteins. Cross linkage of proteins is an uncontrolled metabolic process that binds protein in a way that compromises their natural configuration and thus causes dysfunctional or damaged tissue. Cross linkage of proteins is associated with aging of tissues. The leathery appearance of old skin or the sagginess of old muscle tissues is partly due to an advanced cross linkage process.

Evidently, the body isn't well equipped to utilize polyunsaturated fats as fuel for energy. As politically incorrect as it may appear to be, the body is more efficient in converting saturated fats to energy (such as palmitic acid) than polyunsaturated fats. In order to be able to handle long chain EFA molecules, the body must utilize them in certain compounds known as peroxisomes. There, EFAs are broken down to hydrogen peroxide and water. However, this peroxisomal process does not yield energy. Therefore, EFAs should never be considered as a good source of energy! Quite the opposite, all long chain fats are primarily poor fuel.

Saying all that, it has been suggested that the body can be trained to gradually increase its capacity to utilize fat fuel. When that adaptation to fat fueling occurs (via special high fat dietary cycles), the body would likely improve its capacity to utilize long chain fats including EFAs via a process that involved activation of certain genes that regulate fat metabolism. The activation of fat regulating genes is controlled by certain gene activator compounds known as PPARs (peroxisome proliferator activated receptors). This super family of gene activators regulates the number of peroxisome bodies in the cell. Interestingly enough, some of these gene activators can effectively promote massive fat burning. We'll discuss this in another issue. For now, let's just say that EFA consumption should be optimized instead of maximized.

A 1-4 tablespoon/day of quality EFA (such as Udo oil) for a 160-200 pound person is sufficient. Note that certain polyunsaturated fatty acids derived from Omega 6 oils are shown to increase the risk of cancer, arteriosclerosis and premature aging. It's most important than to keep a ratio of 2 : 1 omega3 to omega6, respectively.

Just to be on the safe side, take extra Vitamin E. Vitamin E destroys free radicals that cause cross linkage and aging. It also protects EFAs from getting rancid. Recommended daily amount of Vitamin E is 800iu.

Keep your EFA in cold temperature. Smell it and taste it before using it. If it has a funky smell or taste, throw it away.