Compassionate Caregivers CEUs

Fatty Acids

Objectives:

• The reader will have a basic understanding of fats.
• The reader will identify the different types of fatty acids.
• The reader will understand and identify EFA’s.
• The reader will identify common types of cholesterol.
• The reader will identify common medications that help lower cholesterol.

Americans are continuously struggling with obesity and heart disease. Often we think of obesity as being overweight, when actually obesity isn’t just about being overweight. The excessive weight is usually caused by unhealthy accumulation of fat. Another contributing factor of obesity is not only the amount of fats we consume, but also how active we are. Excessive fat intake plus a sedentary life style is a sure recipe for heart disease, among other heath issues. Health information can be confusing regarding fats –good fats vs. bad fats, good cholesterol vs. bad cholesterol. As a nation we experiment with a myriad of different diets like – the “Atkin’s Diet”, the “South Beach Diet”, the “Grapefruit diet”, and more. Yet still, that miracle diet solution seems to remain elusive to most of us. This article will explore the world of fats and cholesterol. It’s important to remember, when it comes to dieting, always check with your doctor before making any major changes; especially if you have special medical conditions or take medications.