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A body fat measurement is recognized as the superior method for measuring "weight loss*. When one declares that they want to "lose weight", what they often mean is that they want to lose fat. So, now that you've had your body fat percentage measured, what does the number really mean?

First, your body fat percentage is simply the percentage of fat your body contains. If you are 100 pounds and 10% fat, it means that your body consists of 10 pounds fat and 90 pounds lean body mass (bone, muscle, organ tissue, blood and everything else).

Fat is essential for functioning of many body parts. Fat regulates body temperature, cushions and insulates organs, lubricates joints, balance our hormones and tissues and is the main form of the body's energy storage. In fact, the fat naturally found in whole foods is fat you actually need for your body to function properly.

Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) are fats that must be in a diet for good health. They are principally gained from vegetable oils. EFAs are necessary fats that humans cannot produce on their own, and must be obtained through diet. EFAs are long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids derived from linolenic, and oleic acids such as sunflower oil. They are liquid at room temperature. There are two families of EFAs: Omega-3 and Omega-6. Omega-9 is necessary yet "non-essential" because the body can manufacture a modest amount on its own, provided essential EFAs are present. The number following "Omega-" represents the position of the first double bond, counting from the terminal methyl group on the molecule. Omega-3 fatty acids are derived from Linolenic Acid, Omega-6 from Linoleic Acid, and Omega-9 from Oleic Acid.

The culprit of weight gain, refined carbohydrates, can be found in processed foods high in sugar. You might disagree with the sugar but that is true. Refined carbohydrates add on extra pounds through their high glycemic index, which means they cause a quick surge in blood sugar. The sugar is then stored in muscle and if it is not used it turns into fat.

The irony is that the food you take thinking that it is not helping you to be fat is actually *artificially* been made to be low fat. Do you know what they usually put in when they take out the fat? Sugar. Fat does not make you fat. In fact, you need the essential fatty acids found in fat to live. Sugar is one of the biggest contributing factors to what makes you fat.