Pure Ghee is Good for Health-Dr Meenakshi Attrey

It might sound like the most bizarre thing to hear, but the reality is, that it’s true. To make it a little easier for you to buy this idea, let me share a universal fact about fats. All fat is not bad! 
We need fat to stay healthy! While many of us have been raised with the wisdom that too much fat, especially saturated fat, is bad for your heart and health in general, there are many types of fat that are actually beneficial and we need them for many bodily functions to work normally.

Ghee is a type of clarified butter and does not contain any milk solids. While butter is not good for health, ghee scores here as it offers many health benefits. Since it does not have milk solids it is also safe for consumption among people with lactose intolerance. Cow’s ghee is of superior nutritional composition and almost 89 percent of its fatty acids or saturated fats have a smaller carbon atom structure which makes it a healthier choice over other fats. It is the long chain fatty acids that are directly linked with thrombosis and blood clotting. Therefore, consuming pure ghee in controlled portions at levels under 10 percent of total calories per day is not only healthy but it also gives a distinct and enhanced flavor to the food. It has versatile uses and hence can be taken cold, warm or hot depending upon the preference or the recipe’s demand.

Health benefits of pure ghee:

• Pure ghee contains fat soluble vitamins, K E and A.
• Frequent consumption of pure ghee lowers the LDL and VLDL cholesterol levels. It also has an effect on the triglyceride levels.
• According to a study published in “Lipids in Health and Disease” journal, ghee protects the arteries from hardening. It may also improve heart health.
• The ghee obtained from the milk of grass fed cows is rich in conjugated linoleic acid, an antioxidant with antiviral properties.
• Ghee is rich in medium chain fatty acids and is directly absorbed by the liver, making it a consistentenergy source.
• The healthy micro flora of the intestines converts fiber to butyric acid and uses it as an energy source to protect the intestinal lining. Pure ghee contains butyric acid and it therefore helps in improving digestive health.

It is important to note that these health benefits are provided only when one consumes pure ghee. Vegetable ghee, commonly called as vanaspati ghee, is hydrogenated and contains trans-fat which may cause health issues over a period of time. Certain medical conditions like diabetes, hypertension, liver disorders or other cardiovascular complications may contradict the use of pure ghee and therefore it is best to seek medical advice before making pure ghee a part of your diet.