I’m sure I will get some heckling with this article, but I really don’t care. Again I will say, I am NOT a doctor, and I am not a conventional scientist. With that said, please keep comments clean and easy.

Fat 101 is not a rehash of the ten thousand web sites out there that wave a magical pill flag, or push acai berries, or some sort of noni juice, goji juice or even slimy monkey bugger juice… Sorry, was seeing if you were actually paying attention. LOL

I am going to tell you my beliefs about fat not being as bad as everyone thinks. CAUTION! I am not referring to being unhealthy and obese, but I am talking about actually eating animal and plant fats, and also having a light layer on your body.

1% body fat may look good to some people, but it really is not as healthy as you think. Fat has a real function, regardless whether it is socially acceptable or not. After all, isn’t that why people fret over such things to begin with?

A light amount of fat on the body is fine, as long as you can still function… touch your toes, run a mile, walk for a few hours straight, play basketball, and also flippy cup… um, well maybe not flippy cup. You get the idea though right?

So what exactly is fat, and what is it’s function?

Let me start with what it is, then I shall move into it’s function.

FAT SMART READ Fat is nothing more than a storage container. This storage container is where many excess vitamins and minerals are kept for use later, when your body needs it. Having these extra vitamins and minerals is a good thing because it provides the needed energy boosts during times of exertion and no food is being consumed. This could be exercise, heavy work loads, sports, and even survival. Although the stomach and intestines do hold some of these things, it is not advisable to rely on that only. In fact, it is better to keep your bowels flushed and clean and use your fat instead. I do not mean to flush your stomach and intestines of food that you have just consumed, but instead the leftover waste that should not remain in there too long. When a fat cell is full, it is called Saturated, and when it is empty it is Unsaturated. The harmful fat cells have been Hydrogenated through manufactured manipulation… it is that simple.

Contrary to popular belief, the natural fats in animals and plants are only harmful if they begin to stick and collect in the arterial walls. And since arteries are naturally slippery, there is usually no cause for alarm when consuming these natural fats. HOWEVER, if your arteries have been damaged by chlorine in drinking water or swimming pools, saunas, hot tubs, or any of the other common chemicals out there, then the slippery arteries now become sticky. Then cholesterol and others things begin to build up in that spot, which increases blood pressure, and increases your chance at getting a heart attack.

I think we can all agree that Bear Grylls is in top physical shape right? No one can argue his abilities, and his awesome endurance. But have you ever seen him with his shirt off? He isn’t built like a linebacker, he isn’t ripped with bulky muscle, and he also is not at 1% body fat. Bear Grylls is a perfect example of the ideal build for normal to extreme function. Intense muscle conditioning, combined with a LIGHT layer of fat, gives him his crazy endurance and strength.

So, how do these fat “containers” get there in the first place, and why do some people have more than others? Well, the biggest contributor to excess fat is obviously laziness, but I think we all knew that one. When a person does nothing, but continues to eat, the body seems to assume that you are preparing for hibernation… yes just like bears.

Eating fat does not necessarily produce fat build up in your body, it gets broken down and digested. Any stored vitamins or minerals are used, which is an ideal source of energy. Contrary to popular belief, fat provides the greatest amount of real energy, not carbohydrates. Carbs do give energy, but ironically they are the building blocks for the fat cells. Those fat cells store more nutrients… and that is where the energy REALLY comes from. Do you see where I am going here? If you are overweight, your body already has more than enough storage for energy, you just need to trick your brain intro drawing from that source, instead of “needing” more food.

That craving is not entirely your fault either, I must confess. It is the fault of the greedy food manufacturers that add chemicals to make you more hungry. (so you eat more of their food) If you owned a restaurant that was struggling, and someone gave your some powder that would make people crave your food, what would you do? It is easy to say when you don’t have a struggling food business, but there are those that do. Unfortunately, some of these companies are more into profit that quality, and we have suffered for it. Basically, the more we eat, the more money they make. The more sick we get, the more drugs we need to buy… see a pattern here. That’s why it is called the Food AND Drug Administration. They hit us from both sides.

So it is carbohydrates that build the fat cells and nutrients that fill them up, along with some traces of water as well. Some pills out there cause you to drop this water from your cells, and tricks you into thinking you are losing fat, when in actuality you are not. Simply cut the carbs, drink a lot of water, increase your activity, increase your nutrient input, and watch the weight fly right off. Lose the weight, and keep it off, because you are removing the actual fat cell, not just the contents inside them.

On the opposite side of the spectrum, if you are at very low levels of fat, your body will start to digest it’s own muscles for protein. This is why so many weight lifters need a constant supply of whey protein shakes. These poor chaps are working overtime to keep themselves in shape,  more than needed. Because they have such low body fat, their muscles are being digested as soon as they put it on. It is a downhill battle that they will eventually lose. Then they compound this problem when they take energy drinks, steroids, vitamin B-12, or even natural substances like ginseng. Now their bodies are consuming themselves that much faster, and they are burning their candles at both ends.

Now for the bad news. Fat can also store toxins, some foreign by-products, and also chemicals. This is why I started off my series for “Mind n Body” with drinking a lot of fresh water. Fresh and empty water will help remove this toxic build up, and keep a fresh supply of vitamins to your cells. For this reason also, certain animals should not be eaten, because their fat cells are saturated with toxins. Any animal that is obviously a “janitor” should never be eaten. Shellfish like oysters and clams, shrimp, worms, catfish, lobsters, PIGS, bugs, and reptiles to name a few. It is also a good idea to stay away from carnivorous animals like dogs, cats, hawks, vultures, and humans…

In conclusion, Fat 101 sheds some light about the BENEFITS of eating naturally occurring fats, and also retaining a light amount on your body. Balance is the key here, not too much, and not too little either, or damage can result. Not only damage, but shortened lifespan, less energy, and reduced endurance. Keep your arteries free and clear by maintaining the slippery state that they are supposed to be in, and avoid those things that will scar the tissue. I am composing a massive collection of herbs, spices, and other foods that will help to clear out the toxins, repair the arteries, and flush the crap out of you… stay tuned.

-bryan j bailey