Saturated vs. Unsaturated Fats Cont.

In many nutritional fats, double bonds form at intervals of three. Omega-3 oils, which are healthy unsaturated oils, are simply oils that contain a double bond after the 3rd carbon atom. Omega-6 oils contain a double bond after the 6th carbon atom. A healthy diet should contain a balance of both omega-3 and omega-6 oils.

The body needs many fats both saturated and unsaturated to work properly. But the body does not receive all fats in the forms that are needed and must build its own fats out of fat in the diet. Unsaturated fats are built using enzymes to shorten or lengthen fat chains and put double bonds in the right place. Saturated fats, like those that protect your skin, are also manufactured. The body, however, cannot make a double bond in the omega-3 position. Omega-3 oils must be consumed in the diet, which is why they are called essential fatty acids (EFAs).