Our look at nutrition myths continues this month with a look at fat and cholesterol. While it may be surprising to you, the belief that fat is bad for you and that cholesterol causes heart attacks is still quite prevalent. It is true that certain fats are not healthy and will cause inflammation in the body. And it is critical to understand the importance of the right fats in the diet and which fats to enjoy and which to avoid. These choices, as you will see, have significant impacts on our hormones which in turn directly impacts the quality of our lives.

Before we get into the “fat” of the matter, an important announcement regarding this months’ appointments in Belgium. We will be meeting at 642 Main Street. This is the house next door to where we have been meeting. You can park in the same area, but to gain entry to the office you will walk down the driveway between the two houses to the side entry of 642. There is a staircase at that door leading upstairs to the office. There is a sign directing you to the Reflexology Office. If you have any questions, please let me know. We will be sending out appointment reminders next Monday.

FABULOUS FATS

Let us make it simple. Good fats: butter or ghee (if you can tolerate dairy), coconut oil, olive oil and avocado oil. Butter and coconut oil take the heat best. Bad fats: vegetable oils including seed-based oils, margarine, cottonseed oil, canola oil, and soybean oil. For more information on the role of fats in the body and good versus bad fats click here: Fabulous Fats.

For more on the benefits of coconut oil click here: Coconut Oil Benefits

The “fats are bad for you” way of thinking leads to the cholesterol myth – eating too much saturated fat (the bad fat according to this way of thinking) causes high cholesterol which leads to heart disease. Therefore, foods that contain saturated fat and cholesterol are bad for you. There is one major problem with this – cholesterol is one of the most important substances in your body! We all need cholesterol. It is the raw material for the steroid hormones (most notably cortisol, estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone) which basically determine how you feel, think, respond to stress, and manage blood sugar.

HORMONES

What’s so important about cholesterol and steroid hormones? We encourage you to investigate these articles for the full story.

A brief introduction to steroid hormones, cholesterol and DHEA is found here: Introduction, Cholesterol, DHEA

A deeper dive on cortisol and stress is found here: Cortisol and Stress. You cannot fully understand cortisol and stress without more information on the adrenal glands: Adrenal Glands

The big three of estrogen, progesterone and testosterone are featured here: Estrogen, Progesterone and Testosterone

Hormones play a significant role in how humans change during their lives. This article takes a closer look at female and male life cycles: Female and Male Life Cycles.

This last article summarizes the symptoms that are associated with a variety of hormone imbalances: Symptoms of Hormone Imbalances

Let us summarize – proper nutrition includes beneficial fats that support the structure of critical organs and metabolic processes in our body. This includes cholesterol which is critical for hormone production which basically regulates pretty much everything going on in our body. As you read through the articles you see that many of what ails us today is lack of good fats and hormonal imbalances.

 

JUNE APPOINTMENTS IN BELGIUM, WISCONSIN

As stated above, the next appointments in Belgium, Wisconsin are June 12-14 and will be at 642 Main Street (next door to the prior location). There are a few open appointment times, so please let us know if you would like to schedule an appointment or would like to refer a friend or loved one. The next appointments will be September 11-13.