Some Surprising Facts About Saturated Fats

Quite apart from energy requirements (calories), fats are necessary for proper nutrition. Fats are used to make cell membranes, to build brain tissue, and to insulate the body. Fats contain the important fat-soluble vitamins A and D. Certain fats, such as the omega-3 fats in fish, are essential in the diet because the body cannot make them. Many of the healthy farm fats are saturated or mostly saturated. Butter is two-thirds saturated, and lard and beef fat are roughly half saturated and half unsaturated. Saturated fats are often dismissed as "artery-clogging." Yet they are vitally important.