Signs You’re Not Consuming Enough Fats –

So much talk about fat being a villain of healthy eating that we forget its nutritional importance. Yes, that’s right: consuming fat is a necessity for the proper functioning of the body, but it all depends on the quality and quantity of fat ingested.

The lack of fat even has its consequences, with symptoms and signs that indicate an irregularity in the body. That’s why we talked to the nutritionist doctor Thiago Volpi to better understand when and how to identify a lack of body fat.

THE FUNCTION OF FATS IN THE BODY

It is important to start the subject by explaining the importance of fats in body functioning. Fats make up cellular structures called plasma membranes, function as an important thermal and physical insulator, are the body’s main energy source (1g provides the equivalent of 9 kcal) and help in the absorption and transport of vitamins.

Ufa! Quite a lot, right? It is for these reasons that, for example, there is a greater stimulus to the consumption of fatty foods in winter, when we need more fat to maintain body temperature.

Completely removing fat from the diet can also generate vitamin deficienciesas they are essential in the absorption and transport of these substances through the bloodstream.

GOOD FATS VS BAD FATS

Here, it is also interesting to remember the difference between the types of fat. Basically, the good fats are called unsaturated and the bad ones saturated and trans.

“Good (unsaturated) fat is linked to good heart health, because it reduces triglycerides and blood cholesterol, raising good cholesterol,” explains the doctor. “It is also broken down into monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.”

Polyunsaturated fats are rich in omegas 3 and 6, which directly help protect the heart and reduce the risk of inflammatory diseases. Already saturated and trans are the famous “bad fats”. If consumed in excess, they can have the opposite effect of good fats.

EXCESS X LACK OF FAT IN THE BODY

Just as we have good and bad fats, we also have to deal with excess or lack of fat in the body.

In the case of excess, fats increase the level of blood cholesterol, which can lead to cardiovascular diseases and chronic diseases, such as diabetes.

On the other hand, low fat intake can, according to the doctor, cause skin and mucous membrane problems, changes in heat exchange and even mood. “But if the low-fat diet lasts a long time, heart, liver and gallbladder problems can arise, in addition to metabolic and hormonal changes”, he says.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF LACK OF FAT?

Taking the hook of lack of fat, some of its main symptoms are:

To clarify: skin cells are protected by membranes composed of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. They are what give the skin elasticity and retain moisture. As polyunsaturated fats are rich in these substances, their lack has direct consequences on skin health.

Oh, and the recommendation is the same as always: if you identify any of these symptoms, the ideal is to look for a nutritionist doctor to perform tests and find the best treatment, according to your needs.