Saturated Fat

Saturated fat differs chemically from unsaturated fat in the way its carbon and hydrogen atoms are arranged. Basically, unsaturated fats can absorb hydrogen, whereas saturated fats cannot. Most animal fats are saturated fats; saturated vegetable fats include coconut oil and palm oil. There are two schools of thought emerging with regards to the activity of saturated fats in the body. One is based on the idea that a high intake of saturated fats increases the risk of obesity, heart disease and diabetes. The other maintains that saturated fats are only bad when combined with a diet high in carbohydrates, as the resulting elevation in insulin turns the saturated fats against the body.