Coconut Oil - A Superfood for Fat Loss

Coconut has been a huge hit lately in the nutrition and natural foods world, and for good reason.  Coconut oil offers many health benefits and provides a great flavor that enhances many dishes.  Most of the Health Benefits of Coconut Oil are attributable to its high content of Medium-Chain Saturated Fatty Acids such as Capric Acid, Caprylic Acid and Lauric Acid.


Medium chain fats are difficult to store as fat tissue in the body and therefore the body has to compensate by burning the extra fuel.  The result of this is an increase in basal metabolic rate.  Additionally,  coconut oil is speculated to speed up the conversion of cholesterol to pregnenolone, the precursor to all sexual steroid hormones (testosterone, cortisol, estrogen, etc).  Due to this phenomenon coconut oil may help optimize cholesterol levels, reduce triglycerides, and reduce inflammation. It can also assist in the weight loss process and has been found to decrease abdominal obesity in women, especially when coconut oil is used as a substitution for other fats in the diet.

Coconut can be added to the diet as coconut milk, coconut flakes, or unrefined virgin coconut oil. Start with a tablespoon in the morning and increase steadily.   Coconut oil makes a wonderful cooking oil and tastes exceptionally good in smoothies and deserts.  It can also makes a great addition to healthier breads such as Ezekiel bread as well as root vegetables such as sweet potatoes.

Top Pick  -Garden Of Life Coconut Oil - Click Picture for pricing 

Sources:

1. Amarasiri, W. A., et al.  Coconut fats.  Ceylon Medical Journal.  51(2):47-51, 2006.
2. Assuncao, M. L., et al.  Effects of dietary coconut oil on the biochemical and anthropometric profiles of women presenting abdominal obesity.  Lipids.  2009.
3. Assuncao, M. L., et al.  Effects of dietary coconut oil on the biochemical and anthropometric profiles of women presenting abdominal obesity.  Lipids.  2009.
4. Cox, C., et al.  Effects of dietary coconut oil, butter and safflower oil on plasma lipids, lipoproteins and lathosterol levels.  Eur J Clin Nutr.  52(9):650-654, 1998.
5. Nevin, K. G., et al.  Beneficial effects of virgin coconut oil on lipid parameters and in vitro LDL oxidation.  Clin Biochem.  37(9):830-835, 2004
6. Portillo, M. P., et al.  Energy restriction with high-fat diet enriched with coconut oil gives higher UCP1 and lower white fat in rats.  Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord.  22(10):974-979, 1998.