I may be straying off actual illnesses at the moment but I think what we eat is equally important to keep us healthy and keep the illnesses at bay.
Today I am going to talk about fats and oils which all of us use almost daily.
We know that high cholesterol is bad for the heart, and some fats and oils can clog the arteries these are saturated fats. diets high in saturated fat increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Some foods that are these categories are butter, ghee, suet, lard, coconut oil, cottonseed oil and palm kernel oil.
Dairy products are also included in this section, cream, cheese, meat, chocolate and various prepared ready meals.
Vegetable oil has long been promoted as being heart healthy, but don’t be misled into believing that you can use it liberally. Oil is still oil and it still contains fat and calories.
Extra Virgin olive oil is said to be the most healthy type of oil, the Mediterranean diet, of which olive oil is a main component, has long been associated with numerous health benefits, which include decreased risk of stroke, heart disease, breast cancer, lung cancer and some dementia.
Some researchers say that a good Olive oil contains a natural chemical that acts in a similar way to a pain killer, they found that 50g of extra-virgin olive oil was equivalent to about a tenth of a dose of ibuprofen.
Olive oil is still high in fat so should be used in moderation. Do not be mistaken in believing that pure olive oil is as good as Virgin olive oil, pure olive oil is often of a lower quality.
If you want oil that adds a delicious flavour to your dishes then Virgin olive oil is the answer.
Another oil that is considered very healthy and has two uses is Macadamia oil, you may have to visit your health shop for this oil.
This fine oil comes from the pressed nuts of the Macadamia tree. It is the healthiest culinary oil available today. Its mono-unsaturated level is up to 85% (olive oil is 75%, )
It is also very high in natural anti-oxidants, with a natural alpha tocopherol (vitamin E) level of 450 ppm (olive oil is approximately 100 ppm).
Macadamia Nut Oil is recommended for stir-frying because of its very high smoke point (410ºF)
Macadamia Nut Oil is the richest plant source of palmitoleic acid, which is the oil closest to skin oil, so use it as a moisturizer or massage oil you’ll be amazed! It is a priceless delight for the skin and has proven itself to be one of the best regenerative oils available.
It is also a fabulous, protective oil with a high absorption rate and has been successfully used as a healing oil for scars, sunburns, minor wounds and other irritations.
