Who’d have thunk it — there’s a fat out there that will actually aid in the fat loss process. It almost sounds like science-fiction.
“Yeah buddy, eat fat and lose it. Next you’ll be saying you can eat hair and lose that too…”
Let’s delve into the seemingly magical world of coconut oil for fat loss… Firstly, these are the claims that this ‘super-food’ appears to possess:
Coconut oil benefits
#1 Important for hair & skin care
#2 Useful in stress relief
#3 Maintains cholesterol levels
#4 Great for weight loss
#5 Increased immune function
#6 Proper digestion and metabolism
#7 Relief from kidney problems
#8 Reduced risk of heart diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes
#9 Strengthens teeth & bones
Isn’t coconut oil loaded with saturated fat?
Yes coconut oil is very high in saturated fat, but it’s made up of a unique saturated fat called medium-chain triglycerides, or MCT’s.
MCT’s have some incredible unique properties: they do not need bile to be digested, they are digested and absorbed intact rather than broken down, and they’re more likely to be oxidized as fuel rather than stored as fat.
One of these MCT’s is a fatty acid called lauric acid. Lauric acid makes up about 44% of the fatty acid content of coconut oil. It’s converted into monolaurin in the body, which has powerful antimicrobial and antiviral properties.
It makes a great addition to stir-frys, omelets, and shakes (the last of which I can personally attest to).
“Have you seen my coconut oil little man?”
So coconut oil reduces fat how?
It contains short and medium-chain fatty acids that aid in the fat oxidization process. It is also easy to digest and it helps in healthy functioning of the thyroid and enzymes systems.
Further, it increases the bodys metabolism by removing stress on the pancreas, thereby burning more energy.
^In fact, a randomized double-blind clinical trial with 40 women exhibiting obesity found that supplementation with coconut oil promoted a reduction in obesity without causing dyslipidemia.
Do all lose fat while using coconut oil?
No. Coconut oil is NOT the fat-burning solution to all of your problems. Like every other supplement, it will ‘help’ you on your way but shouldn’t be relied upon as a single solution. Your training, diet and rest all make up equal parts in your fat burning strategy.
If you’re hoping to just down a few teaspoons of coconut oil a day and watch the fat melt away, you’ll be sorely dissapointed.
Which type of coconut oil should I buy?
Just like with butter, the source of the coconut oil is of utmost importance. I’d recommend the unrefined organic extra virgin type, as it has undergone the least amount of processing and should provide you with the most benefits.
Personal testimony of using coconut oil
Whilst I’m in the early stages (read first week) of trialling this stuff, I have to say it HAS made my morning shakes a lot more interesting. Suddenly there is a punch of coconut flavour in the mix as well as a ‘thicker’ consistency to each one. My girlfriend sampled the shake and even SHE was impressed by the taste (for the first time ever mind you).
In regards to my own fat-loss benefits attained from consuming a teaspoon of coconut oil every few days. Stay tuned!
Editor’s Note: Do you use coconut oil for fat loss? Comment below.
Sources
^Assunção, ML; Ferreira, HS; Dos Santos, AF; Cabral Jr, CR; Florêncio, TM (July 2009). “Effects of dietary coconut oil on the biochemical and anthropometric profiles of women presenting abdominal obesity.”
Han J, Hamilton JA, Kirkland JL, Corkey BE, Guo W.; “Medium-chain oil reduces fat mass and down-regulates expression of adipogenic genes in rats.”
Robert H Knopp and Barbara M Retzlaff; “Saturated fat prevents coronary artery disease? An American paradox”
Hey Clint,
We LOVE coconut oil in our house! My wife and I use it for it’s great heatlh benefits…including fat burning…and because it tastes great. My wife is allergic to dairy, so she uses it as a butter substiture. We also use it as a substiute for vegetable oil when we bake and cook. Just like you, I always add a little healthy fats to my protein shakes and they sure taste much better with coconut oil than with olive oil. Plus, if you don’t want to mix it with anything, you can actually just eat it right off the spoon too! I could go on and on. Coconut oil is awesome and everyone should be using it. Just be sure to be extra virgin, cold processed organic coconut oil. Not all oils are the same and you definitely want to avoid the regular heat-processed varities. Thanks for sharing!
~ Pete
I’ve recently started a blog, the information you provide on this site has helped me tremendously. Thank you for all of your time & work.
Clint,
I primarily use coconut oil because it is delicious! That it is also extremely healthy is a fantastic side effect. I use it for most of my sauteing and frying as saturated fats are less likely to oxidize under high heat than unsaturated fats such as olive oil.
I sometimes throw some coconut oil in my morning protein shake, I love the taste. Its great if you’re making a stir fry.
@Pete
I’m even starting to eat the stuff from the spoon. It’s tasty as all hell :)
@emt
glad you like it.
@Darrin
Interesting fact there. I’m now going to look into the oxidizing affect a little more. Thanks for the heads up.
@Alejandro
I’m going to try a stir fry with it next. Looking forward to that one.
This is a great post and may be one to be followed up to see what the results are
A colleague e-mailed this link the other day and I will be eagerly anticipating your next content. Carry on on the wonderful work.
I had spoken with a nutritionist who told me that I should take coconut oil after I explained my difficulty in losing weight despite exercising and building muscle. I had been unable to burn the fat. I have had blood tests that show I am ten times as insulin resistant as I should be. Diabetes runs in my family and I am determined to lose the fat around my middle. Even a very strict diet and exercise has not allowed me to lose the inches and weight. I started out at 250 pounds and after taking 3 coconut oil softgels before supper last night, I woke up this morning 3 lbs lighter. I am excited about this result. It is amazing that three little coconut oil softgels have opened the door to weight loss for me. I have done a lot of research and have discovered that the people who reap the largest benefits of weight loss, lowering cholesterol from the coconut oil, are people like me who are insulin resistant. It makes sense that although I have been able to build muscle, I have not been able to lose the fat because I was not eating enough “good” fat. I had tried eating low fat, low carb and had no success. I had tried just low calorie which didn’t allow room for good fats. We will see how it goes, but I am very encouraged starting out of the gate.
Thanks for the great post. Page Bookmarked
Thanks for the great post.