We need some fat - it makes up part of our brains, it protects some of our joints and it provides reserves for when we're sick - but it slips down so effortlessly, it's easy to overindulge.

* Fat provides needed energy. It is difficult to eat the large amounts of food in a very low fat diet to get all the energy you need.
* Fat is needed so your body can absorb the fat soluble vitamins A, S, E, K, and prevent deficiencies of these vitamins.
* Provides back-up energy if blood sugar supplies run out (after 4-6 hours without food).
* Provides insulation under the skin from the cold and the heat.
* Protects organs and bones from shock and provides support for organs.
* Fat surrounds and insulates nerve fibers to help transmit nerve impulses.
* Fat is part of every cell membrane in the body. It helps transport nutrients and metabolites across cell membranes.
* Your body uses fat to make a variety of other building blocks needed for everything from hormones to immune function.

What happens if we don't have enough fat?

* Dry, scaly skin
* Hair loss
* Low body weight
* Cold intolerance
* Bruising
* Poor growth
* Lower resistance to infection
* Poor wound healing
* Loss of menstruation


Food Sources of Fat

High intakes of fat contribute to becoming overweight; being overweight increases the chance of developing a number of diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure. Visit my Homepage for more of this http://www.healthwise..com