Any foods which contain complex carbohydrates such as beans, lentils, seeds and vegetables are far better in the diet than refined sugars, honey or malt. Fats provide energy for body temperature maintenance and for tissue activity some fats are an important part of the cell structure of the brain and nervous system make up the fatty tissues which protect the vital organs such as the heart. Saturated fats are only useful for insulation and protection, and are found in foods such as meat, cheese, eggs and fast foods. Unsaturated fats are often turned into saturated fats. Margarine, for example, is produced by hydrogenation of palm oil, corn oil and soya oil.
Butter contains both saturated and unsaturated fatty acids.
These fats are not essential for the body and it is not good to eat too much. Polyunsaturated fats are found in nuts and seeds, eg sesame, sunflower, flax seed and linseed. The linolenic acid makes prostaglandin series 1 and 2 which are involved in inflammatory reactions. Anyone who is low in these nutrients will find it difficult to carry out this conversion, so a supplement of GLA is often necessary. Another important fatty acid is arachidonic acid which encourages inflammatory reactions.