The golden, egg-shaped capsules are the latest craze among health seekers. Found in the tissues of oily, cold-water fish, the oil contains omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for many vital functions in the body, including brain function, muscle activity, and normal growth and development. But are fish oil capsules the only — or the best — source of omega-3 fatty acids? (more…)
Macronutrients are defined as chemical substances required in large amounts by the body for survival. The three macronutrients are protein, carbohydrates, and fats. If you’ve heard anyone talking about "macros," they’re referring to these critical nutrients. Some people also call alcohol a macronutrient, since it is processed differently from carbs, fats, and proteins. Of course, alcohol is not one of the three major classes of substances the body requires in large amounts – despite what some college students may think. But it’s the only other substance people consume in relatively […]
Since the 1960s, Americans have been obsessed with cutting all fat out of our diets. In that same time frame, rates of obesity and diabetes skyrocketed across all socioeconomic groups. How is it possible that reducing fat intake coincided with a 300% rise in obesity and a 700% increase in diabetes?[1, 2] It’s almost as if we’ve been completely wrong about fat and its role in nutrition this entire time. (more…)
Fats are a highly varied macronutrient group, and they're present in both animal and plant-derived foods. At nine calories per gram, fat is the most dense source of calories required by the human body.[1] However, not all fats are created equally and it’s crucial to pay attention to which types of fat you include in your diet.[2] Some fats are healthy, some are fairly neutral, while others are actively detrimental to your health. (more…)
You've probably heard the terms "fatty acid" and "omega 3" before, but do you know what a fatty acid is or why your body needs it? What about the different types of fatty acids, what foods you can naturally find them in and how much your body needs to live a long, healthy life? Fatty acids are important for all systems of the body to function normally, including your skin, respiratory system, circulatory system, brain and organs. There are two fatty acids, termed essential fatty acids (EFA) that your body […]
