Some fats are naturally high in some types of fatty acids and low in others. For example, when we talk about 'saturated fats' we mean fats that contain a large proportion of saturated fatty acids. Foods high in saturated fatty acids include meat, dairy products, biscuits, cakes, pastries and chocolate. A diet high in saturated fatty acids can raise blood cholesterol levels and increase the risk of heart disease and circulation problems. At one time, it was thought that all saturated fatty acids were equally harmful, however, now it seems that some are potentially more harmful than others.
Myristic acid is the main saturated fatty acid associated with high blood cholesterol levels.
The main monounsaturated fatty acid is oleic acid. It is currently thought that monounsaturated fatty acids may be beneficial to our health by reducing levels of LDL-cholesterol in the blood. Although the body can make most of the fat it needs, two fatty acids in particular must be provided in the diet. The n-3 fatty acids can reduce the levels of triglycerides in the blood. However, polyunsaturated fats are vulnerable to chemical alterations within the body, which result in highly damaging 'lipid peroxides'.