Have you considered coconut oil for weight loss? Some of my clients in Louisville, KY have been asking whether it should be a consideration for their weight loss plan. When I hear these types of easy weight loss aids, I always tell people to stop and consider both the pros and cons of using anything. First of all, coconut oil is a fat and it’s 90 percent saturated fat. That type of fat plays a negative role in heart health and raises cholesterol levels. It increases the bad LDL cholesterol.
Proponents of coconut oil say it’s different from other saturated fats.
The author of the book, The Coconut Oil Miracle, certified nutritionist Bruce Fife, disagrees. He claims that the fat in coconut oil actually can help the body burn fat. It’s a medium-chain triglyceride—MCT—that doesn’t follow the route most saturated fat takes, which then makes it compete with glucose—a simple sugar—as the energy source. He says it then increases the metabolism and aids in weight loss in specific areas, such as burning belly fat.
Just like any fat in your diet, coconut oil can make you feel fuller for longer.
There’s some evidence that oils that are MCT does aid with weight loss. One study shows that consuming it rather than long chain fatty acids, such as avocado oil or soybean oil, can actually help you burn more calories. The body’s metabolism increases for as long as 24 hours when the cells use these types of oils for fuel instead of glucose. It’s true of all MCT oil. Unfortunately, coconut oil isn’t pure MCT. Only 13.5 percent of it is MCT. That means that to get the 10 grams of MCT, you’d have to consume 80 grams of coconut oil or almost 6 tablespoons of it daily. That’s a whole lot of fat!
A small study shows that it can blast stomach fat, but is it healthy.
Studies comparing weight loss by consuming either coconut oil or soybean oil, found both groups lost weight, but those using coconut oil lost belly fat, but the amount taken in both cases was twice as much as recommended for good health. It can be your go to oil for salads or other types of cooking, but shouldn’t be increased in your diet just for weight loss. Instead, eating healthy should be at the top of your list for weight loss.
If you’re going to use coconut oil, use organic, unrefined, virgin coconut oil. It has more of a coconut smell and taste, but is healthier.
The feeling of fullness brought by coconut oil is also the reason that low fat foods don’t satisfy your appetite.
There is no miracle food that you can take that will help you lose weight without changing to a healthy diet and regular exercise.
Whether you opt for private sessions, small group or online help, Body Sculptors can help. No matter where you live, our online nutrition training can help you with a healthy fat loss program that costs less than a dollar a day.