Choosing the best oils for your health

(NaturalNews) Contrary to popular belief, not all fat is bad for your
health. Many fats, in fact, actually promote healthy weight maintenance
and a well-functioning cardiovascular and nervous system, among many
other benefits. But with so much misinformation out there about the
nature of fats and oils, it can be difficult for many people to make
sense of the issue, to the detriment of their own health.

To help simplify the matter, here are some helpful tips for choosing the best edible oils for your health:

Coconut oil.
Perhaps the most misunderstood -- and also one of the healthiest --
oils you can consume, coconut oil is an amazingly-versatile,
nutrient-dense superfood that is the richest known source of
medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs), which aid in the proper digestion and
assimilation of fats, as well as boost energy levels. Coconut oil is
also rich in healthy saturated fats and antioxidants, and has been found
to promote brain health, boost immunity, and strengthen thyroid
function.

Since it has a high smoke point and is incredibly shelf
stable, coconut oil is great for both cooking and eating raw. Many
people regularly eat unrefined, extra virgin coconut oil by the
spoonful, as it is a powerful antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral
food that is rich in disease-fighting lauric acid. Coconut is also a
powerful energy booster, as it quickly penetrates cells and provides
rapid nourishment. (http://www.naturalnews.com/coconut_oil.html)

Red palm oil.
This one is a bit more controversial, as palm plantations are said to
be slowly overtaking the natural habitats of orangutans and other
animals. But when cultivated responsibly, red palm oil
is an excellent, shelf-stable oil that is rich in tocotrienols (vitamin
E) and carotenes (vitamin A). Similar to coconut oil, red palm oil has a
high smoke point, does not require hydrogenation to remain stable, and
is completely free of trans fatty acids, which makes it an excellent
option for cooking and baking.

Red palm oil
is pretty much the only oil that has a perfect balance of both
tocopherols and tocotrienols, which together encompass the gamut of
vitamin E's many unique forms. Red palm oil also contains nearly 13
times more vitamin A-producing carotenes than carrots, which make it one
of the richest plant sources of this important nutrient. (http://www.tropicaltraditions.com/red_palm_oil.htm)

Avocado oil.
A relatively underrated fat, avocado oil is gaining popularity as a
powerful, free radical-fighting "super-oil" that protects cellular
mitochondria from destruction. Rich in phytonutrients, avocado oil does
not easily oxidize, which makes it preferable to sunflower, safflower,
canola, soybean, corn, and peanut oils, which are often recommended in
many mainstream health circles as being healthy. (http://www.naturalnews.com)

The
antioxidants found in avocado oil have a unique ability to effectively
enter cell mitochondria and shield cells against disease-causing
oxidation. Many fruits and vegetables that are rich in antioxidants lack
this ability, at least to the same degree. Avocado oil is also a
powerful weapon against heart disease and aging. (http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk)

Macadamia nut oil.
The average American consumes far more omega-6 fatty acids than omega-3
fatty acids, which is a major contributor to chronic inflammation and
disease. But macadamia nut oil is uniquely low in omega-6s compared to
other nut oils, while
also being relatively high in omega-3s. Macadamia nut oil is said to
contain an ideal 1:1 ratio of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, which
makes it one of the healthiest nut oils you can consume.

Macadamia
nut oil is also rich in oleic acid, an omega-9 fatty acid that contains
its own unique cancer-fighting and heart-protecting properties. With a
rich, sweet, buttery flavor, as well as a high smoke point, macadamia
nut oil is both a delicious salad topper, and a tasty frying and
sauteing oil. (http://primaltoad.com/macadamias/)

Olive oil.
Nearly everybody knows about the health benefits of olive oil, as it is
one of the most highly acclaimed, heart-healthy oils being talked about
today. And when it is truly fresh and authentic, extra virgin olive oil
really is everything the health industry claims and more, especially when consumed alongside other healthy oils like coconut and avocado.

A
staple of the so-called Mediterranean diet, olive oil is rich in
monounsaturated fats and high-density lipoproteins (HDL), which help
reduce levels of cholesterol in the blood. Its various vitamins,
nutrients, and antioxidants effectively guard against heart disease;
promote healthy digestion; ease the symptoms of ulcers and gastritis;
and prevent gallstone formation, among other benefits. (http://www.globalhealingcenter.com)

Sesame oil.
Popular in Asian cooking, sesame oil has a pungent flavor that makes it
a favorite in many foods. And the great news is that it is also
beneficial to health, having been shown to lower blood pressure and
reduce the risk of heart disease. Sesame oil is also rich in iron,
calcium, and magnesium, the latter of which is known for its incredible
calming effect.

Also rich in polyunsaturated fats, sesame oil helps contribute to proper fat
absorption; cognitive acuity; healthy skin; a lowered risk of heart
disease; and strong teeth and bones. Sesame oil also helps fight
diabetes, reduce high blood pressure, prevent gingivitis and dental
plaque, protect against kidney damage, and fight depression. (http://www.greenmedinfo.com)

Other
beneficial oils worth checking out include almond oil, pumpkin seed
oil, flax seed oil, grape seed oil, walnut oil, hemp oil, and ghee, also
known as clarified butter. On the other hand, corn, soy, cottonseed,
canola, sunflower, safflower and various other "vegetable" oils are all
damaging to health and should be avoided.


Source:-
http://www.naturalnews.com/036858_cooking_oils_health_red_palm_oil.html