coconut oil

Sorting through fact and fiction when it comes to weight loss is a tough order, especially when fad diets spring to life and wither away all in the same season. So is coconut oil  a diet fad or a bonafide health food?
 Experts like Dr. Bruce Fife and Dr. Mary Enig speak volumes about the merits of coconut oil–quite literally. - Fife wrote an excellent book called The Coconut Oil Miracle, and Enig was a co-writer of another great book, Eat Fat, Lose Fat–which also emphasizes the benefits of coconut oil.


More Than Just a Fad

Coconut oil didn’t spring to life in the last few years, although it may seuem that way. The truth is that coconut has been a healing superfood for centuries in tropical cultures. These people value coconut for its tremendous medicinal power–and they are remarkably healthy as a result.


Even in Western society, coconut oil was widely popular until the middle of the 20th century, when coconut oil’s reputation took a bashing from researchers who examined the health impact of hydrogenated coconut oil–basically the evil twin of the real thing. But thanks to experts who are willing to give a genuine look into coconut oil’s benefits, we now can be assured that this oil is a genuine health food.


So how can coconut oil help you lose weight?

#1 Get a Metabolism Boost

With all the dangers associated with thermogenic stimulants, it’s no wonder a growing number of people shy away from them. This leaves us to wonder if there is a way to boost the metabolism naturally without resorting to popping pills full of chemicals and caffeine. The secret to a healthy metabolism and a wealth of energy is no fad stimulant: it’s pure extra virgin coconut oil.

Coconut oil is one of nature’s most abundant sources of medium-chain fatty acids, and these nifty little triglycerides can work wonders for a sluggish metabolism. In a study that looked at the effect of medium-chain fatty acids on metabolism, it was found that these fats could increase the metabolic rate by up to 48 percent and for up to 24 hours. In obese individuals, the increase was as high as an astounding 65 percent! If your metabolism has been damaged by dieting or stress, a daily dose of coconut oil can do wonders for getting it back on the right track.


Long-chain fatty acids, like those in polyunsaturated oils, are more difficult for the body to break down and use for energy. Instead, long-chain fatty acids are usually stored as fat in the body A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reported that medium-chain fatty acids were three times more effective at raising the metabolism than long-chain fatty acids. Researchers concluded that replacing long-chain fatty acids with medium-chain fatty acids was an effective method for weight loss. Another study from the same journal again showed that eating medium-chain fatty acids increases metabolism and also helps burn off stored fat. You can read more about this in The Coconut Oil Miracle.



#2 Balance Your Blood Sugar

The profound effect coconut oil seems to have on the metabolism extends to insulin function as well. This may have to do with the fact that the medium-chain fatty acids in coconut oil can be easily burned for energy, but without causing insulin to shoot sky high the way a bunch of sugar would. Including coconut oil before or during a meal also lowers the glycemic impact of what you’re eating, which prevents those dreaded blood sugar highs and lows.

#3 Cure Candida and Yeast Overgrowth

The beneficial fatty acids in coconut oil do more than speed up a lagging metabolism. Lauric acid and caprylic acid in coconut oil also protect against one of the top hidden causes behind weight gain: candida and yeast. When an overgrowth of candida is present, weight loss can be almost impossible. Candida causes symptoms like fatigue, poor concentration, recurring infections related to yeast, excessive sinus infections, and much more. But the side effect that really hinders weight loss is cravings for sugar and carbohydrates. This is because yeast feeds off sugar (carbohydrates break down into sugar once in the body), so candida causes cravings in order to support its own growth.

Taking coconut oil to counteract yeast overgrowth is highly effective, but it should be done with care. Coconut oil is such a powerful remedy for candida that it can cause strong side effects of headaches, chills, and foggy thinking as the yeast dies off. This can be reduced by slowly incorporating coconut oil into your diet, starting with as little as one teaspoon daily.
Where do I buy coconut oil?

Today quality coconut oil can be found almost anywhere. Even my local sainsburies carries a few varieties (though not always quality brands). You’ll find the best deals online, though, especially if you’re willing to buy in bulk. Many online health food and supplement companies carry several brands of coconut oil to choose from. Again, the bigger you buy, the more you’ll save.