Is fat in the diet essential? Yes! A variety of diets including recommendations from the American Heart Association and the Diabetes Association speak of the importance of fat in the diet. However, a big question still remains: Is the person who is consuming even the best of dietary fats able to break them down to the proper fatty acids that can be used by the cell? If you are lacking the ability to break down fats, then no diet that tells you to consume even the best of fats will be beneficial. In fact, even good fats could actually be detrimental to your health.

The best answer is the addition of a digestion enzyme product which is high in lipolytic enzymes. For instance, the lipolytic blends in DigestZyme and LypoZyme break down lipids (fats) efficiently and effectively. They are formulated to control the persistence of lipoproteins such as LDL in the blood circulation and to minimize the absorption of cholesterol.

So, the ultimate answer to the ultimate question on dietary fats in the diet is to consume good sources of fat in your diet and take digestive supplements containing lipolytic enzymes to ensure the availability of those essential fatty acids.

FURTHER UNDERSTANDING OF LIPOLYTIC ACTIVITY

A simplistic explanation of the function of lipolytic enzymes would be: dietary fats are first dissolved by the action of bile salts, and then broken down into fatty acids and glycerol by lipase. (Lipase does not discriminate.) Therefore, fatty acids are the constants of fat. Fatty acids are organic acids containing carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. These are absorbed via the lymphatic system before entering the bloodstream. There are over 40 different types of fatty acids found in nature. They are distinguished by their number of carbon atoms. Certain fatty acids cannot be synthesized by the body and must be provided by the diet. These collectively are called essential fatty acids (essential meaning they have to be found outside the body).

Lipids are carried in the blood bound to a protein, where they become known as lipoproteins. There are four classes of lipoproteins: 1) Chylomicrons; 2) Very low-density lipoproteins (VLDLs); 3) High-density lipoproteins (HDLs); 4) Low-density lipoproteins (LDLs). Each type of lipoprotein serves a different purpose and is broken down and excreted in a slightly different manner. For example, chylomicrons originate in the intestine and carry certain types of digested fat from the intestines into the bloodstream. Enzymes then remove the fat from the chylomicrons for use as energy, or for storage in fat cells. Ultimately, the remaining ones, stripped of much of their fats (triglycerides), are removed from the bloodstream by the liver. LDLs and VLDLs contain large amounts of cholesterol, which they carry through the blood stream and deposit in cells. The HDLs pickup cholesterol and carry it back to the liver for processing and excretion. Therefore, the importance of knowing the ratio of your LDLs, HDLs and Triglycerides when having your cholesterol tested is mandatory. Total cholesterol count alone does not give you enough information.

Dietary fats are sources of the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K and of essential fatty acids. They are mainly triglycerides, but also contain some other types of fat. Structural fats include triglycerides, phospholipids, and sterols. Triglycerides are the main form of fat found in stores of body fat. These stores act as an energy reserve as well as providing insulation and a protective layer for delicate organs. Phospholipids are structural fats found in cell membranes. Sterols, such as cholesterol, are found in animal and plant tissues. They have a variety of functions within the body, often being converted by chemical actions into hormones or vitamins. A diet low in cholesterol and saturated fats will reduce the LDL levels. Exercise can help reduce the blood levels of LDL cholesterol and increase the blood levels of HDL cholesterol.

Therefore the consumption of the good fats (such as olive oil, fish oils, and flaxseed oil), rather than bad fats (such as animal fats) and a high lipase supplement can be essential to maintaining proper health. It is also important to note again that the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K also need lipolytic enzymes to be used by the body. Combine a good exercise program, a good balanced diet, and enzyme supplementation and you can be a winner in the game of consuming "dietary fats".