Fats are one of the major nutrients present in daily diet. Fats are quite useful if taken in limited quantities as they are major source of energy for body and also form important hormones for body. But it is equally established fact that excess of fat can lead to weight gain and cause obesity. Now a thing known as fat substitutes is emerging as replacement of normal dietary fat. These fat substitutes are less absorbable in the body and the have less caloric so they tend to cause less obesity.

Different Types of Fat Substitutes

There is no definite classification of fat substitutes but their typing can be done on the basis of the source from which they are derived.

• Carbohydrate based fat substitutes are derived from plant source. They are polysaccharides in chemical composition. They help to decrease the absorption of regular fat and also have less caloric which causes the les storage of fat and results in weight loss.
• Some types of proteins are also used as fat replacers. They also lower body fat content and help to control increasing weight. The caloric value of this type of fat substitutes is somewhat less than the carbohydrate based fat substitutes.
• Fat based fat replacers are also there in the market. The wonderful thing about fat based fat replacers is that they don’t let normal dietary fat to be absorbed from the intestines into blood. This causes less deposition of dietary fat into the body causing weight loss.

FDA approval for Fat Substitutes

Federal Drug Administration has approved the use of different fat substitutes. Although they are introduced into the market recently but FDA clearance to use them indicates their effectivity. Market of fat substitutes is growing now indicating their increasing use.

Safety of Fat Substitutes

Safety issue of fat substitutes is not a major consideration till now as no problems associated with their use have been found. As it is beginning of their use so it can’t be said that they are hundred percent safe. Long term safety of fat substitutes can’t be predicted right now. This needs more time and research to be established. Even their long term use associated benefits can’t be predicted right now.

Fat Substitutes containing Weight Loss Diet

It is considered quite effective that fat substitutes should be included in the weight loss diet whatever the weight loss diet plan is. Importance of fat substitutes in weight loss diet becomes considerable as they replace highly absorbable and high caloric valued normal fat of the diet. Inclusion of fat replacers in the weight loss diet plan increases its effectivity and also helps to lower body cholesterol level helping in saving your heart.