Fat gets a bad rap, mostly for its association with weight gain
and heart disease. However, fats are an important part of a
balanced diet. Our bodies need fat for warmth, protection, and
to carry out vital functions. The fats we eat effect the amount
and type of cholesterol in our blood. There are two major types
of cholesterol in the body, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and
high-density lipoprotein (HDL). High levels of LDLs (known as
bad cholesterol) are a major risk factor for coronary artery
disease, which leads to heart attack or stroke. However, high
levels of HDLs (known as good cholesterol) reduce the risk of
coronary heart disease. The trick is to know which fats are good
and which are bad and create a balanced diet with this
knowledge. Dietary choices can be confusing but some simple fat
facts below may help. You probably have heard about saturated
and transfats. These fats do more harm than good. They raise you
bad cholesterol levels AND lower your good cholesterol. Limit
these fats as much as possi