Couple Fat Questions

[oso0690]

Are essential fatty acids the only fats we NEED? Is there a minimum recommendation? Is there a need for other types of fat? What I'm wondering is what happens when the body does not receive enough dietary fat. Does it look to use its own stores of fat even in a caloric excess?

[dest0]

Are essential fatty acids the only fats we NEED? Is there a minimum recommendation? Is there a need for other types of fat? What I'm wondering is what happens when the body does not receive enough dietary fat. Does it look to use its own stores of fat even in a caloric excess?

Not sure of the first part of the question, however, the minimum recommendation of fat consumption is 0.45 x body weight in lbs.

When the body doesn't receive enough fat, you're at risk of a few downsides including hormonal issues.

Will you lose weight/fat? It depends on your intake whether you're at a surplus or in a deficit, it doesn't only depend on your fat intake.

[gbullock32]

http://www.jissn.com/content/11/1/20
http://www.anabolicmen.com/fats-and-testosterone/

[SuffolkPunch]

EFAs are more abundant in some fat sources than others. The general recommendation of 0.45 g/lb assumes a diverse intake of fats.

The larger question is why are you concerned? Are you trying to avoid or minimise them for some misguided reason? You need to get calories from somewhere and fat is a part of most whole foods.

[oso0690]

Hmm, how about this question:

When people say you'll die if you don't intake enough fat, are they talking about all fats or specifically essential fatty acids since the body can't make those?

[oso0690]

Thanks for the replies. No, I am just wondering how the body works. I am trying to keep fat between 20-25% of my intake. This is way below your recommendation of 0.45g/lb though...

[dest0]

Thanks for the replies. No, I am just wondering how the body works. I am trying to keep fat between 20-25% of my intake. This is way below your recommendation of 0.45g/lb though...

Increase your fat intake as suggested to be above the minimum and don't worry about the rest.

[Jherewhoisdere]

Thanks for the replies. No, I am just wondering how the body works. I am trying to keep fat between 20-25% of my intake. This is way below your recommendation of 0.45g/lb though...

20%E is enough in most cases, you may even go as low as 15%E for a short period of time while you are dieting.

If your caloric intake is very low, then it is best to use minimum based on bodyweight. Various evidence based coaches set physiological minimum of ~0.25g/lb for dietary fat - you do have to be more thoughtful of your fat sources though in that case to ensure sufficient intake of EFAs.