All About Low Fat Diets for a Weight Loss Treatment

This year, 13 million Americans will die of heart disease. This year, 40% of the people with suffer from metabolic failure. For these people, modifying their lifestyle with more exercise, cholesterol lowering strategies and adhering to a low fat diet could save their lives. Prevention, self-treatment and even blood pressure lowering medications cost pennies compared to the money many will spend on emergency medical care or long term treatment if they continue to live an intentionally, unhealthy lifestyle.

Let’s discuss “good fats” to include in your otherwise low fat diet. In addition to transporting vitamins, protecting the body and filling us with energy, some of these fats are deemed so essential because they deliver omega-6 and omega-3, which the body cannot make on its own but relies very heavily upon. These essential fatty acids help the body to regulate hormones, stimulate the metabolism and boost the immune system, thereby fighting off cancer, preventing blood clots, controlling cell growth and regulating all intracellular processes.

“Bad fats” are trans fats: margarines, shortening, deep fried chips, fast food, baked goods, hydrogenated vegetable oil. The reason they are considered bad is that they’re known for lowering HDL cholesterol, which is the kind your body needs to function, as well as increasing triglycerides and LDL cholesterol, which is the bad cholesterol that leads to heart disease and diabetes. Saturated fats found in chocolate, butter, cheese, red meats, coconuts, ice cream and full fat milk should also be limited for the same reasons. Fat from these sources should be 16 grams or less for a 2,000 calorie low diet. For those looking for a weight loss cure, the saturated fats should be less than 12 grams.

In addition to a low fat diet, exercise is a vital component of your new, healthier lifestyle. Countless studies have shown that just 30 minutes of exercise, four days a week can help lower triglycerides and bad cholesterol, while raising HDL cholesterol. Contrary to popular belief, the exercise need not be as strenuous as running or aerobics. Biking, swimming, cross-country skiing, skating and brisk walking can elevate the heart rate enough to give the body all the health benefits needed.

Always choose a recognized diet plan rather than just the latest diet to hit the market. One of the best places to find a quality diet is at the Top 10 Diets chart where the diet plans are proven to work and ranked in the order users rated them.