Polyunsaturated fat

From WikiMD's Food, Medicine & Wellness Encyclopedia

Polyunsaturated fat is a type of dietary fat. It is one of the healthy fats, along with monounsaturated fat. Polyunsaturated fat is different from saturated fat and trans fat, which are not as healthy for the heart.

Types of polyunsaturated fat[edit | edit source]

There are two main types of polyunsaturated fats: omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids. Both types offer health benefits.

Omega-3 fatty acids[edit | edit source]

Omega-3 fatty acids are a type of polyunsaturated fat that is beneficial for heart health. They are found in certain types of fish, such as salmon and mackerel, as well as flaxseeds and walnuts.

Omega-6 fatty acids[edit | edit source]

Omega-6 fatty acids are another type of polyunsaturated fat. They are found in certain oils, such as soybean oil and corn oil, as well as nuts and seeds.

Health benefits[edit | edit source]

Eating moderate amounts of polyunsaturated (and monounsaturated) fat in place of saturated and trans fats can benefit your health. These fats:

  • Improve blood cholesterol levels, which can decrease your risk of heart disease.
  • Decrease the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Food sources[edit | edit source]

Good sources of polyunsaturated fat include:

See also[edit | edit source]

Polyunsaturated fat Resources
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