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Types of Fats
Page Updated on
November 24, 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
coconuts
palm oil
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.
