The doctor spoke about the danger of completely eliminating fats from the diet

Over the past decades, there has been a noticeable trend towards the popularization of low-fat diets, often considered as a means to reduce body weight. However, this approach can have serious negative health consequences. On August 6, Maria Kulikova, a pediatrician, nutritionist, and expert at SOLGAR, told Izvestia about the potential risks associated with the complete exclusion of fats.

Fats are one of the key macronutrients along with carbohydrates and proteins. They perform many vital functions.

"For example, energy — fats are a concentrated source of energy, providing 9 calories per gram. Structural — they play an important role in the formation of cell membranes and are necessary for the normal functioning of cells. Metabolic — some vitamins (A, D, E, and K), which are fat-soluble, require fat to be fully absorbed by the body. Hormonal — fats are necessary for the synthesis of sex hormones, including estrogens and testosterone," the expert explained.

Complete rejection of fats in the diet can lead to various negative consequences, such as metabolic disorders, skin diseases, baldness, decreased immunity, as well as hormonal disorders.

The exclusion of fats from the diet not only deprives the body of essential substances, but also creates a number of undesirable effects.

In particular, the complete absence of fats in the diet can cause a deficiency of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K), increase the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases and contribute to the appearance of eating disorders and deterioration of mental and emotional state.

"It is important to note that fats can be both beneficial and harmful. Monounsaturated fats are useful: these substances are found in olive oil, avocados, nuts and seeds. They help reduce LDL (bad cholesterol) levels and increase HDL (good cholesterol) levels. Other healthy fats are polyunsaturated: they include omega–3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which are found in fish oil, flaxseed, chia, and walnuts. These fats support the functioning of the brain and heart," she added.

It is also worth considering that the combination of certain foods increases the digestibility of healthy fats. For example, adding olive oil to vegetables improves the absorption of vitamins A, D, E and K. The nutritional context is of great importance: taking fats together with fiber from fruits and vegetables contributes to their more efficient absorption. It is believed that regular exercise combined with the intake of omega-3 fatty acids can enhance the fat burning process.

"Fats play many critical roles in the body, and their deficiency can have serious negative consequences. Instead of completely avoiding fats, you should focus on their quality by choosing healthy sources such as fish, nuts, and vegetable oils. The combination of products and consideration of individual needs will help maintain health and achieve the desired results in weight loss, avoiding damage to the body," the doctor said.

On June 5, nutritionist, weight correction specialist, nutritionist Victoria Sergeeva told how to lose weight and maintain the result. According to the expert, it is important to determine the goal of losing weight, where to get motivation from, it is important to eat consciously and maintain a balance of nutrients.

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