Saturated fats have been the target of a massive smear campaign since the 1950s, denounced for clogging our arteries, negatively impacting our cholesterol, and causing us to develop heart disease. While there is some truth to this crusade because some saturated fats contribute to these problematic conditions, other saturated fats beautify our skin, lubricate our joints, keep our mood stable, contribute to the health of our bones, and make up 50 percent of our cell membranes.
Scientifically speaking, when a fatty acid has all its available carbon bonds connected to hydrogen atoms, they pack together tightly and become highly stable. Because of this, saturated fats don't go rancid easily and they become solid or semisolid at room temperature. It's important to understand that while good saturated fats like olive oil, ghee, and coconut raise our LDL (bad cholesterol), they also raise our HDL (good cholesterol), and the ratio of the two to each other is a much stronger predictor of heart disease and cardiovascular problems than anything else. Bad sources of saturated fat, like commercially raised red meat and dairy products and commercially prepared baked goods, that raise only our LDL should be avoided at all costs. The saturated fat in a drive-through cheeseburger is destructive, whereas the saturated fat in coconut oil is critical for bodily functions.
Ghee
Ghee has been used for centuries to support digestion and elimination, to promote energy, sexual vitality, skin and eye health, and as reinforce healthy joints and blood.
The purity of ghee allows it to penetrating deeply and nourish as it passes through the lipid membranes of cells. For this reason, the vitamins and minerals from food cooked in ghee will be drawn deep into the body where they impart the most benefit.
Olive Oil
Olive oil is lubricating, cleansing, beautifying, and rejuvenating. It can be eaten as well as applied topically, and its elite nutritional content makes it a superfood of the highest order.
Olive oil is considered to be a "good" fat. The largest component of olive oil - between 55 and 85 percent - is the beautifying monounsaturated fat oleic acid. At the cellular level, oleic acid is used by the plasma membranes to remain fluid and soft. These cell membranes are made up of large amounts of fat and cholesterol, and when your diet contains high amounts of oleic acid, your cell membranes are more resistant to oxidation, slowing down the aging process.
Oleic acid is a superstar at reducing bad cholesterol too, and regular consumption of olive oil has been shown to protect against coronary heart disease by decreasing arterial clogging. When blood can flow freely, it nourishes cells and the skin radiates a clear level of beauty.
Olives and their oil contain an abundance of vitamin E, which is known to erase fine lines on the face and repair connective tissue. Vitamin E also plays a role in the health of the circulatory system and is incredibly soothing to the digestive tract. The beauty-enhancing substance squalene (one of the most common oils produced by human skin cells) is found within olive oil as well. This is noteworthy because as it smooths the appearance of your skin it also offers a nice boost to your immune system.
Coconut
It seems counterintuitive to eat fat to lose weight, right? It's the opposite of what we were taught when growing up. The skin and subcutaneous levels under the skin, as well as the membranes around each cell in the body, contain saturated fat. When you consume a bioavailable saturated fat source, like coconut, you nourish your cells. They then function at their best, which boosts your immune system, your thyroid, your digestion, and your absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, minerals like calcium and magnesium, phospholipids like choline and lecithin, and moisturizing fatty acids like omega-3s. All of these factors contribute to shiny hair, glowing skin, and a healthy weight.
Coconut itself does not contain cholesterol, but it does support healthy cholesterol formation in the liver. It raises levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), which is essential to heathy hromone production. It converts HDL into pregnenolone, the precurser to many hormones, including progesterone, known as the "beauty hormone." Progesterone improves circulation to the skin, giving us a natural face-lift by tightening up our saggy places. It also counteracts fatigue and protects the nervous system from stress. Reduced progesterone levels in the body contribute to the physical aging process and, over time, cause us to look and feel haggard and run-down.