The Deal with Fats

Dietary fat has a bad reputation, but it’s important to know that not all fat is bad for you. You need some in your diet for energy and to help your cells work. What matters most is the type of fat you eat.

Food contains three kinds of fat:

• unsaturated fat
• saturated fat
• trans fat

Unsaturated fats are liquid at room temperature. They’re considered “good” fats because they help boost HDL (good) cholesterol, lower inflammation, and protect your heart.

Saturated fats are solid at room temperature. They raise LDL (bad) cholesterol, which builds up and can lead to clogged arteries, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Let’s take a closer look at each type of fat and how it affects cholesterol levels.