The reason fats of any kind are needed is not the fat per se, but the fatty acids in them, the most important ones being linolenic and linoleic acids. Saturated fats, such as animal, are rather low in them but possess other "virtues" which were overlooked in the past. Most nutritionists nowdays allow for the use of real butter and like olive oil for cooking. Flaxseed, and Evening Primrose oils are mostly recommended as supplements and are great for the skin, hair and nails, suppresing appetite and general health of every cell.

Fish oils are also recommended as they are good for heart health. Dr. Michael Eades, co-author of "Protein Power" highly recommends it as a way of preventing certain health problems.

One drawback about using bacon fat is that by the time one's done crisping the bacon, the fat contains a lot of burn particles that turn into free radicals in our bodies, together with the nititres of regular bacon it's a recipe for cancer, brrrrrrr! So make sure you take extra anti-oxidants whenever you want to indulge ( I do it every so often... he, he!).