In addition to unsaturated fatty acids, unsaturated fatty acids are beneficial to human health, but excessive intake of unsaturated fatty acids can burden the body. What are the specific effects of unsaturated fatty acids? Let's take a look together!
Benefits of Unsaturated Fatty Acids
Actually, it's not true. The human body needs various types of fatty acids, and the proportions of different fatty acids in each type of edible oil are different. No type of oil can completely meet the body's needs for various fatty acids.
Nowadays, people generally consume vegetable oil, so the most commonly consumed fatty acid is linoleic acid.
Linoleic acid is an unsaturated fatty acid that is commonly found in plant seeds, such as peanut oil and rapeseed oil.
In the past, people had a positive view of the beneficial effects of linoleic acid. However, unsaturated fatty acids, especially plant oils with high linoleic acid content, cannot withstand the test of time. In conditions such as high temperature, sunlight exposure, oil impurities, and long-term storage;
Oils can easily become oxidized and spoiled, not only failing to exert their intended effects, but also producing harmful substances.
With the development of science and in-depth research, doubts have been raised in the academic community in the early 21st century about the health benefits of linoleic acid, especially its protective effects on cardiovascular health.
Studies have found that the impact of linoleic acid on blood lipids is not as good as people imagine. While reducing low-density lipoprotein (commonly known as "bad cholesterol"), linoleic acid also reduces high-density lipoprotein (commonly known as "good cholesterol").
In other words, linoleic acid does not have a positive effect on protecting cardiovascular health and preventing cardiovascular diseases. In fact, it may have a negative effect. The previous exaggeration of the role of linoleic acid was unwarranted.
Functions of Unsaturated Fatty Acids
1. Regulating Blood Lipids
High blood lipids are the main cause of diseases such as hypertension, arteriosclerosis, heart disease, cerebral thrombosis, and stroke. The main components EPA and DHA in fish oil can lower harmful cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood;
They can effectively control the concentration of blood lipids and increase the level of beneficial high-density lipoprotein in the body. Maintaining low levels of blood lipids plays a key role in maintaining physical health, preventing cardiovascular diseases, and improving endocrine function.
2. Clearing Blood Clots
Supplementing deep-sea fish oil consumed in the diet can promote the metabolism of saturated fatty acids in the body, reduce and eliminate the harm caused by animal fats in food (mainly from fatty meat, dairy products, etc.);
Prevent fat deposition in blood vessel walls, inhibit the formation and development of atherosclerosis, and enhance the elasticity and toughness of blood vessels.
Reduce blood viscosity and enhance the ability of red blood cells to carry oxygen. EPA in fish oil also has the function of preventing platelet adhesion and aggregation, so it can effectively prevent the formation of blood clots and prevent strokes.
3. Immune Regulation
Supplementing EPA and DHA can enhance the body's immune system and improve its ability to fight against cancer cells.
4. Maintaining Retina and Improving Vision
DHA is an important component of the retina, accounting for about 40-50%.
Supplementing sufficient DHA is helpful for revitalizing and declining retinal cells, and it has a therapeutic effect on fatigue, age-related macular degeneration, blurred vision, glaucoma, cataracts, and other diseases caused by excessive eye use.
