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U is for Unsaturated Fatty Acids
Unsaturated fatty acids (fat in food) are those that are found in plant based foods and fish. They are further classified as mono-unsaturated or polyunsaturated fat acids.
Mono-unsaturated fatty acids can be manufactured by the body so it is not essential that we get them from the foods we eat. However, polyunsaturated fatty acids cannot be made by the body and we must obtain them from the foods we eat.
These fatty acids – particularly the omega 3 and omega 6 families are valuable protectors against heart disease. Omega 3 fatty acids are found mainly in fatty fish and help protect our heart health by lowering blood triglycerides, preventing blood clots, protecting against irregular heart beats, lowering blood pressure and reducing inflammation (swelling).
Omega 6 fatty acids are found mainly in vegetable oils such as corn and safflower oil as well as leafy vegetables, seeds, nuts and grains. These fats protect our heart health by lowering our total blood cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels
