Fat is one of the nutrients that supply calories to the body. The body needs only small amount of fat.
Foods contain different types of fat, which have different effect on blood cholesterol levels.
All foods have a varying mix of these three types. Saturated fat raises blood cholesterol more than anything else eaten. Unsaturated fat - A type of fat that is usually liquid at refrigerator temperature. Monounsaturate fat and polyunsaturated fat are two kinds of unsaturated fat. When used in place of saturated fat, monunsaturated and polyunsaturated fats help to lower blood cholesterol levels.