If you are like me and grew up in the 90s and early 2000s, the biggest diet craze at the time was eliminating fat.
It seemed like every product from salad dressings to cookies was screaming how it was the “healthier option” because it had completely eliminated the fat from this product. (don’t even get me started on how most of these items were indeed “food-like products” and not actual foods… but that’s a blog for another day!)
So what is the big deal with taking fats out of foods? Why do we need them at all?
The biggest component we need to look at is Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs). The body cannot produce these on its own and therefore they need to be brought in via diet or supplementation.
These EFA’s are a major component of our cell membranes, hormones, and nervous system. Therefore they play a key role in regulating our mood and emotions, nerve impulses, and how the brain functions.
Aside from the essential fatty acids, a moderate intake of fat in our diet also means to insure that the body is receiving an adequate intake of fat-soluble vitamins such as A, D, E, and K. These vitamins need fat to be absorbed into the body.
EFAs are a key part of keeping our immune system running optimally and can protect against inflammatory conditions such as eczema, and arthritis as well as protecting against heart disease and stroke to name a few.
How can you tell if you may be deficient in EFAs?
Here are a few things to look for:
- Do you suffer from skin conditions just as dry, rough, or scaly skin? Or something more serious like eczema, psoriasis, or dermatitis?
- Are your nail dry and brittle? Do they crack easily? Is your hair constantly dry and brittle with split ends?
- Do you suffer from an endocrine disorder? These are things like under or overactive adrenals and/or thyroid.
If this sounds like you and you are interested in taking the next steps to balance your body back into alignment, let’s chat!
Still not sure if this is you?
Contact me today for your FREE 15-minute discovery call so we can find the right path for your unique needs!
