First of all - I am sorry to say that it is not the fat in vanilla ice cream that is going to benefit your health. But don't despair.You see, fats are our bodies and ego's friend (good look's are important to you, eh? ). So read on to find out why you shouldn't cut them out of you food intake!

Fat helps will keep your hair glossy and skin youthful. Are you trying to lose weight? Fat keeps your body insulated,and provides a sense of fullness after meals. (Ever notice how super skinny people are always cold?) Hey and beauty is much without some brains either. Our brains rely on EFA's to function. Without them we could become depressed and have memory problems.

So now we know the right fats aren't in the ice cream,what,where and how do we get them into our bodies? The fats that are good for you are called EFA's or essential fatty acids. They are called essential simply because they are essential to our health. The one problem is that our bodies cannot make them on our own. We must get them from food or supplements.

Your body needs fat to function properly.Fat is a component used in the production of several hormone-like compounds called prostaglandins that help regulate blood pressure, heart rate, blood vessel constriction,blood clotting and the nervous system.protects vital organs You see, without fat to nourish it, your body is in trouble! Hey, if you don't care about the inside of your body at the moment- how about your good looks?

In the supplement arena, dietary fat carries fat-soluble vitamins — vitamins A, D, E and K — or from the foods that give you these.

How much do we need?

There are different omega fatty acids and it's important to keep them balanced. Our Culture in the U.S. tends to have plenty of omega 6 and not enough omega 3.The Mediteranian diet is much more rich in omega 3's. The Mediterranean diet includes a generous amount of whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, fish, olive oil, and garlic; plus, there is little meat, which is high in omega-6 fatty acids. This imbalance contributes to long-term diseases such as heart disease, cancer, asthma, arthritis,pms and depression, even dry eyes!

The ideal ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fats is 1:1. For most American diets today,our ratio,of omega-6 to omega-3 averages from 20:1 to 50:1!

By far, the best type of omega-3 fats are those found in fish. That's because the omega-3 in fish is high in two fatty acids crucial to human health, DHA and EPA.

These two fatty acids are pivotal in preventing heart disease, cancer, and many other diseases. The human brain is also highly dependent on DHA - low DHA levels have been linked to depression, memory loss,schizophrenia, and a higher risk of developing Alzheimer's. Researchers are now also linking inadequate intake of these omega-3 fats in pregnant women to premature birth and low birth weight,
and to hyperactivity in children.

Where do we find them?

The primary sources of omega-6 are corn, soy, canola, safflower and sunflower oil; these oils are overabundant in the typical diet, which explains our excess omega-6 levels. Avoid or limit these oils. Omega-3, meanwhile, is typically found in flaxseed oil, walnut oil, and fish. Flax seed contains the flax seed oil in its freshest form. Consuming 1/4 cup of flaxseed provides you with the Omega 3
equivalent of approx. 17 (1000 mg) flax oil capsules.

Flax seed delivers the full benefits of Omega 3, 6 & 9 EFA’s, plus all of the fiber, protein,lignans (an anti-cancer agent), vitamins, minerals and amino acids that are important nutrients for overall good health. You can find flax seeds sold in bulk at your local health food store. Store them in the refrigerator in a tight container. Make sure the store you buy them from properly stores them as well.

How can we fit these into our diets?
Flaxseed can be purchased whole, ground and in oil form. Buying flax seed in its whole seed form is perhaps the best way to take full advantage of its nutritious quality. It is best to keep your flaxseed whole and grind it in a food processor or small coffee grinder. This way you can grind only what you need for the time and gain a quality, fresh taste. You can also use flax seed whole, similar to how you use sesame seeds on top of breads, etc. This adds interesting taste and texture. Yet, when used whole, any seeds not crushed by your teeth will pass through you undigested. The majority of your use of flaxseed should be in the ground form to get the bonus of all its nutrients.

Ground flax seed adds a nutty flavor to foods such as oatmeal, breads, casseroles, etc. Yet, it doesn't change the texture or flavor of your favorite recipes to the point of suspicion from those family members who shudder at the thought that they may be eating something that is wonderfully healthy! Sprinkle them on salads, soups, yogurt or cereal. Also, whole or ground flaxseed can replace some of the flour in bread, muffins, pancakes and cookie recipes. Because flaxseed is high in fat, 1 cup of whole or ground flaxseed can replace up to one-third cup of fat in baked goods. Adjust your oven temperature and the total baking time to allow for more rapid browning. If you are looking for some recipes to incorporate this wonderful nutrient, go to www.tightenandtone.com/healty_eating.htm