Types of Fats
Page Updated on
July 28, 2007
There are four types of fats: saturated, monounsaturated, polyunsaturated, and hydrogenated.
Saturated Fatty Acids Characteristics Saturated fats are solid at room temperature. Saturated fats in your diet can cause your LDL (bad blood cholesterol indicator) levels to increase and put you at greater risk of getting heart disease. Found in - animal products
- animal flesh
- dairy products
- eggs
- some vegetables products
Monounsaturated Fatty Acids Characteristics Monounsaturated fats are liquid at room temperature. Monounsaturated fats in your diet can cause your your LDL (bad blood cholesterol indicator) levels to decrease and decrease your risk of getting heart disease. Found in - vegetable products
- canola oil
- olive oil
- peanut oil
Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Characteristics Polyunsaturated fats are liquid or soft at room temperature. There are some polyunsaturated fats that we must consume because they are necessary for our survival. These are called essential fatty acids. Polyunsaturated fats in your diet can help reduce your LDL (bad blood cholesterol indicator) levels. Found in - vegetable products
- safflower oil
- sunflower oil
- corn oil
- flaxseed oil
- canola oil
- seafood
Trans Fatty Acids / Hydrogenated Fats Characteristics Trans fatty acids are often called "hydrogenated" (e.g. hydrogenated oil) and are usually monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fats that have been processed to make them solid at room temperature. Trans fatty acids in your diet act like saturated fats and cause your LDL (bad blood cholesterol indicator) levels to increase and may decrease your HDL (good blood cholesterol indicator) levels, increasing your risk of getting heart disease. Found in - vegetable shortening
- margarine
- some dairy products
Sources: http://www.eatright.org, http://www.mayoclinic.com | 
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