Fats and Oils

Facts

A variety of fats from different sources is vital in order to receive enough of the fat soluble vitamins A, D, E and K.

Nearly 50% of all our bodies cell membranes are made from saturated fat! This is essential to provide the cell with rigidity to allow for the correct functioning and passage of nutrients in and out.

Per person the intake of saturated fats decreased by 7g/day whilst vegetable oils increased by 39g/day between 1900 and 1972, a period when heart disease went from being virtually unheard of to becoming the number one killer in the USA.

In the largest cardiovascular study to date, run  by the World Health Organisation, analysis showed that the rates of heart disease related deaths were considerably lower in many of the countries with the highest saturated fat intakes in Europe between 14 - 15.5% such as France, Switzerland, Belgium and Holland. At the other end of the spectrum some areas like Azerbaijan, Moldovia and Kazakhstan with saturated fat intakes of between 5 -8% (which is very low) had some of the highest rates of heart disease related deaths in Europe.

Simply click on a suppliers name for details of  where to purchase items. Some brand names can also be clicked for more information about the product. * For Southern Ireland please click here

Avoid

Commercial vegetable oils, seed oils and margarines made from sunflower, corn, soy or rapeseed.

Average

Standard olive oil (in dark bottles) or ghee.

Good

Extra virgin olive oil, farm produced beef dripping or lard, ghee without additives, peanut or sesame oil.

Best

Organic beef dripping, organic lard, organic cold pressed extra virgin olive oil, organic ghee and organic cold pressed flaxseed oil.