Fats DO NOT Equal FAT! Are Fats Needed for Healthy Brain Function?

Food processing with hydrogenated oils (trans fats) and high fructose corn syrup, along with excessive ingestion of sugars has dramatically affected the increase in diet related illness .Our ancestral diet was very high in saturated fats and virtually void of sugar and non-vegetable carbohydrates. Today, not only do most of us eat excessive amounts of carbohydrates, these carbs are refined and highly processed.

Twenty years ago the trend was to eat a low fat / high carbohydrate diet to reduce cardiovascular disease and strokes. In the last decade, we've also shifted over to genetically engineered (GE) grains and sugar (GE sugar beets and corn), the long-term health effects of which have never been established. These two trends have increased the inflammation process in the body which can lead to plaque build up in the cardiovascular system.

This mistaken fat phobia has undoubtedly played a significant role in the dramatic rise in dementia and other neurological disorders, because your brain cannot function properly without fats. In fact, most people benefit from up to 50-75 % of their daily calories in the form of non processed fats for optimal health while they are seeking to resolve their insulin resistance.

For comparison, the American Heart Association recommends limiting saturated fat to between 5-6% percent of total calories! There's no doubt in my mind that the lowered recommendation of good fat level is contributing to the poor health and the increase in dementia.

While trans fat consumption has decreased by about one-third since 1990 many are still getting far too much trans fat in their diet. The problem is that it's oftentimes hidden. Even products boasting a "zero trans fat" label can contain trans fat, because food manufacturers are not required to list trans fat if it falls below a certain amount per serving.

Using ridiculously tiny serving portion is a legal loophole that permits food manufacturers to mislead you about the trans fat in their products. As a general rule, to avoid trans fats, you need to avoid any and all foods containing or cooked in partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, so be sure to check the list of ingredients.

I also believe that that use of satin drugs to lower cholesterol (a substance made by the body) is leading to decreased brain function. Cholesterol is absolutely necessary for hormone production and the plaque build up in arteries is a protective mechanism from inflammation in the body. Since hydrogenated oils and sugars contribute to this inflammatory process it seems like a better choice to restrict these foods rather than take a potentially harmful medication.

Research shows that we need to add more good fats from fish, grass feed beef, free range chickens along with seeds and nuts to reduce inflammation. If we eat more like our ancestors and reduce processed foods many of today's lifestyle related illness would create a course correction and allow healing instead of inflammatory processes.

Listed below are sources of healthier fats to add to your diet :

• Avocados or avocado oil
• Non farmed salmon or supplementation of omega 3 oils              
• Clarified Butter (Ghee)made from raw grass-fed organic milk.       
• Organic pastured eggs including yolks
• Coconuts and coconut oil      
• Unheated organic nut oils      
• Raw nuts, such as almonds, pecans, macadamia, and seeds