Get Weight Loss Back -The Importance of Animal Fats | | uxa2.com

Somehow, over the past few generations, many of us have bought into the lie that animal fats are unhealthy and that we should avoid them at all costs. Cholesterol is dangerous – it clogs our arteries and eventually causes heart disease. But is this really true? Or have we been misled by outdated science and fear-driven narratives?

I remember growing up in the early 2000s when my mom thought low-fat and fat-free were the healthiest options. We drank 1% milk, and it was drilled into my head that whole milk was terrible for my health. We also replaced the butter with margarine – something I can never understand to this day. Anything with fat made me gain weight and would damage my health – but processed foods are fine to eat. Animal fats were pushed out and replaced with seed oils. That makes a lot of sense, right?

If we look at what our ancestors ate in the 20th century and before, meat and animal fats were at the center of their diet. Organs, fatty cuts of meat, fish, eggs, and raw, full-fat dairy products were regularly eaten. It used to be that the whole animal was used and eaten – fat and all, whereas today we just grab certain cuts of meat from the grocery store shelves, and the butchers discard much of the rest of the animal. The diet was intuitive, local and unprocessed. Teeth, bones, immune system and memories were stronger.

Yes, there are fats in plant-based foods, but animal fats are much more bioavailable to our bodies and provide certain nutrients that plant-based fats cannot. What if consuming animal fats could actually improve our overall health and make us more resilient?

Animal fats vs. vegetable fats

You might be thinking to yourself, “Well, vegetable fats also have vitamins!” And you’re not wrong. But our bodies have to do so much work to convert vitamins from plants into usable substances for our bodies, and sometimes our bodies can’t do it very efficiently. It is very challenging if you have a gut or thyroid imbalance.

This leads me to think that an animal based diet cannot be good for long term sustainable health and explains why so many plant based dieters have multiple vitamin deficiencies. I was vegan for 7 years and by year 7 my teeth, digestion, brain activity and hormones were greatly affected. And I still feel like after 3 years of consuming animal products, I’m still slowly repairing my body and health.

For example, one tablespoon of ghee contains twice the amount of vitamins as one tablespoon of avocado oil. And while you could eat more avocado oil, there’s no guarantee that your body will actually absorb it, whereas ghee is instantly utilized by your body.

Essential vitamins

The fact is, our bodies absolutely need bioavailable fats to thrive, and the best source is animal fats. Animal fats are packed with important vitamins and minerals our bodies need to thrive, such as vitamins A, D, E and K2. Let’s break down these vitamins, why they are essential, and why getting them from animal sources is crucial:

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is an essential nutrient that plays a huge role in the health of our body. It benefits our vision, supports the growth of immune cells, promotes cell and skin regeneration, hormone production and even fetal development.

Vitamin A foods and fats: liver, grass-fed butter and ghee, egg yolks, grass-fed tallow

Vitamin D

Yes, sunlight is the best source of vitamin D, but it can be difficult to always get the necessary sunlight exposure we need. Some animal foods and fats are rich in vitamin D3 and are as bioavailable as sunlight. The main benefit of vitamin D is that it helps the body absorb calcium. It also helps regulate mood and supports healthy immunity.

Vitamin D foods and fats: fatty fish, egg yolks, pork, grass-fed butter and ghee.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is important for its antioxidant properties, which protect cells from damage and help rid the body of free radicals. It also supports the production of red blood cells and helps our body absorb vitamin K better. And yes, of course many plants are full of vitamin E, but too much vitamin E can actually harm your body’s metabolism. Vitamin E from animal fats is much more balanced with other fat-soluble vitamins, so it works in harmony with your body and other nutrients.

Vitamin E preparations and fats: liver, fatty fish, grass-fed butter and ghee, grass-fed tallow, pasture-raised lard, egg yolks

Vitamin K2

Vitamin K2 is a nutrient that is important for bone, heart and oral health. Although plant-based foods are full of vitamin K1, our bodies cannot convert it well into vitamin K2. The only foods containing vitamin K2 are products of animal origin. Vitamin K2 regulates the amount of calcium in the body and helps direct it to the bones and teeth, which means it helps prevent calcification of the arteries and tissues in the body.

Vitamin K2 foods and fats: grass-fed butter and ghee, egg yolks, grass-fed cheese, liver, full-fat dairy products, fatty meats.

Animal fats for brain health

Did you know that 60% of our brain is made up of fat? It makes sense to me how common dementia and Alzheimer’s are today, at a time when the masses have bought into the idea of ​​a low-fat, highly processed food and seed oil diet and believed it to be healthy.

Our brains literally need the consumption of high-quality fats to function. And cholesterol, found only in animal fats, is responsible for repairing neurons, forming synapses, and preserving memory. Vitamins A, D, E and K2 all play a huge role in brain health – supporting memory, nerve cell growth, serotonin and dopamine production, brain cell protection, myelin detoxification and myelin production. A lack of animal fats in our diet can lead to decreased cognitive function, increased brain inflammation, and a higher risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s (S).

Teeth and bones

The health of bones and teeth is greatly affected by whether our diet contains animal fats or not. Dr. Weston A. Price, a pioneer in nutritional dentistry, discovered that cavities and tooth decay are the result of poor nutrition and that a diet rich in animal fats can maintain healthy teeth and bones and even reverse decay. Vitamins A, D and K2 work together to remineralize teeth, strengthen enamel and maintain bone density. Vitamin K2 is absolutely necessary to help the absorption of calcium into bones and teeth, making them strong.

Immunity

I’m sure when you think of immunity you think of foods rich in vitamin C, but animal fats are one of the most underrated sources of immunity. Remember how grandma always loved to give you chicken soup when you were sick? That’s because chicken bone broth is packed with vitamins A, D, and K2, all of which support the immune system in their own unique ways. Vitamin A strengthens the mucous membranes of the intestines and lungs and makes it difficult for pathogens to get through. Vitamin D helps reduce inflammation and vitamin K2 supports the function of immune cells. Some animal fats, such as butter, contain linoleic acid, which has antimicrobial properties.

Hormone action

Did you know that hormones are made of fats? Once I figured it out, everything fell into place. In my seventh year as a vegan, my hormones, especially reproductive hormones, completely disappeared. My PMS symptoms got worse, I got sharp hairs on my chin and my periods became irregular. My diet was completely devoid of animal products and my hormones were suffering.

Cholesterol from animal fats is the number one building block of reproductive hormones. without it you are likely to have an imbalance. This can cause irregular periods, and it can even cause fertility problems. Women especially need animal fats for healthy ovulation and progesterone levels. Animal fats help regulate thyroid hormones, which regulate energy and metabolism. They also help regulate and nourish the adrenal glands, which are responsible for cortisol and inflammation.

Blood sugar regulation

Blood sugar regulation is important because too frequent or too strong insulin spikes over time can permanently affect your metabolism, and a thriving metabolism is essential for energy and ridding the body of bad cells. Animal fats play a large role in blood sugar balance because they are digested slowly, which keeps blood sugar levels stable and provides a constant release of energy. Animal fats also support insulin sensitivity because they can slow down the absorption of carbohydrates and make it easier for the body to control glucose.

How can you incorporate more fats?

You may be wondering, “Well, how do I get this fat into my diet?” Maybe you already eat a lot of meat, but you really don’t like eating butter sticks. I completely understand that. I find the easiest way is to cook strictly from animal fats at every meal and sometimes add butter on top when I’m done. I also try to eat a lot of full-fat dairy products and fattier cuts of meat instead of lean.

I’ve also learned that where you get your fats matters – grass or pasture farming is always the best option. Meats and fats from factory farms can cause inflammation due to the animals’ lifelong diet. Always try to source locally whenever you can – it’s better for your health!