coconut oil

i've been hearing a lot about the health benefits of coconut oil and wanted to know what other people here think about it.

i've read that that unsaturated fats suppress the metabolic rate, apparently creating hypothyroidism. in other words, if you use/eat coconut oil, it will help you lose weight.

who thinks what?

Link

Tue. Jun 28, 11:21am

I think there are more benefits with something like flax seed oil

Tuesday, June 28, 2005, 11:26 AM

I've used coconut oil

It's a medium chain triglyceride and is burned in your body for fuel instantly. Many people who have low body temperature take it in the morning to increase their metabolism.

I used it for a while religiously - and still do periodically - I felt like it really cleaned my system out (it is OIL!) and that for me it was a great appetite suppresant (true of fats anyway). I also dropped a few pounds the week I started using in, but that could be from anything really. I'm no scientist.

It can't hurt if you decide to try it. Now I use it mostly for stir-fries where the flavor is good for Asian food. I will also mix it in with oatmeal and blueberries for breakfast. The added oil gets me through until lunch with no problem.

Info here:

Weston A. Price Foundation (this is an outstanding resource if you're into a more "whole foods" approach to diet):
http://www.westonaprice.org/knowyourfats/coconut_oil.html

coconut oil and weight loss - article here but be aware that the web site is selling the product. But, scroll down to the section entitled Scientific Studies on the Weight-Loss Effects of Coconut Oil's MCTs:
http://www.coconut-info.com/weight-loss.htm

Link

Wednesday, June 29, 2005, 10:09 AM

I have a low body temperature and never associated that with a low metabolism before! I assume I have one, though, as I gain weight very easily and it's difficult to lose weight; also I am not at all a natural athlete.

When you say many people take coconut oil in the morning to jump-start their metabolism, what do you mean? How doe one "take" coconut oil? In a teaspoon? That sounds gross! Or do you cook with it? If so, what are good options to cook in the morning?

Wednesday, June 29, 2005, 1:07 PM

Coconut oil at breakfast

If you do some Internet searching you should be able to find some testimonials about the body temperature thing. I recall seeing a lot of talk about it on a natural foods/homeopathic type thread.

For these types of "alternative" things I like to do an advanced google search and type in ".edu" under the domain - that tends to bring back results that are uiversity-based research and no ads.

After posting here yesterday, I started my day with coconut oil. It melts at about 75 degrees, so I just take a tablespoonful (yes, it's gross) by mouth. When it's winter I will melt it in a bowl of hot water. For breakfast I normally only mix it with hot oatmeal or use it to cook eggs. Dinner is easier, substitute it for olive oil.

Let me tell you, I've been eating way too much lately, and it's my TOM, but I made it through until lunch at 1pm with no problem today. Just my 2 cents. I realize that some people might think I'm crazy.

Thursday, June 30, 2005, 12:13 PM

Isn't coconut oil considered a tropical oil and therefore full of saturated fat and best to be avoided?

Tuesday, July 25, 2006, 12:11 AM

yes, from what i've read, including product labels, this oil is almost entirely saturated fat. i avoid it except for special meals where only a bit is used for flavor. olive oil is better for you.

Tuesday, July 25, 2006, 10:07 AM

The research isn't conclusive...

...coconut oil got it's bad rap because it had been heated/processed, therefore hydrogenated, to be included in processed foods and this was the form of the oil that was included in research all those years ago.

Taken in it's natural state without the high heat from food processing and it's a different story, this according to some researchers.

It's kind of like the butter vs. margarine wars. For how many years were people saying that margarine was healthier only to discover that the hydrogenated oils in it are horrible for our health. Back to naturally made butter we go.

Tuesday, July 25, 2006, 11:13 AM

I've been using the coconut oil (either the actual oil or tablets) for about two weeks now, and my energy level is truly amazing. I have low body temp and low thyroid and so I'm sluggish in the morning, but I started noticing that I feel really good during the day at work while I used to be dragging all day and everyone else in the office is dragging too. The day is flying by now. I have noticed a difference in my skin texture and my hair- it looks glossier.

A good friend of mine used it for 2 months in place of olive oil (she ate very healthy before and stir fried or sauteed everything in olive oil)- she didn't change her diet at all, just replaced the oils. She lost 20 pounds and had significantly more energy- could get through her teaching job during the day and still cut hair at night and be on her feet.

The only problems I've noticed are- 1) if I take it at lunchtime, I end up with almost too much energy in the evening and have a harder time winding down- it works bets for me taken before noon; 2) if you start out with it too fast, it can cause stomach issues.

I cook with it and put it in my oatmeal in the morning. I also take the capsules. Tonight I made some whole grain blueberry pancakes and replaced the 2 tbsp oil with 1 tbsp coconut oil and 3 tbsp ground flaxseed (flaxseed ratio is 3 to 1) and then cooked the pancakes in a little of the coconut oil- YUM!! lol

Saturday, July 28, 2007, 8:41 PM

I now live in the southern Indian state of Kerala, where everyone cooks using coconut oil -- since coconut palms grow everywhere in this hot, tropical climate. This is the first time I'm hearing about the use of coconut oil for weight loss. If that had been true, the people in this state must all be skinny. Fat chance! In fact, the government is encouraging people to exercise and shed extra fat since heart disease is a major problem in the state. Yes, there have been jillions of reports about saturated fat and all that. True. But also remember, all oils are good only to a limited extent. Oil is oil, as Dean Ornish says. Just reduce the fat intake.

Sunday, July 29, 2007, 11:15 AM

coconut oil

From what I heard, coconut oil is sooooooo good for you and the skin. Depending upon the diet you're following, moderation is always wise. But as it was earlier suggested, I'd check the internet and health food stores about it.

Sunday, July 29, 2007, 7:15 PM

I grew up on coconut oil. Then they said it was bad for you and we switched to vegetable oil. Now I am reading that Extra Virgin coconut oil is very good for you. I have not switched yet since I am fine with olive and canola oils.

Monday, July 30, 2007, 12:06 PM

related PEERtrainer Thread:

http://blog.peertrainer.com/tip_of_the_day/2010/12/why-coconut-can-increase-energy-and-burn-fat.html

Studies going back to the early 80's on the Trobriand Islanders when they ate their native diet show quite the opposite result. In these studies, virtually 80% of calories in the native diet came from coconut and coconut products and the rate of heart disease was almost unmeasurably low. (ref: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7270479).

As far as saturated fat' (from coconut oil or any other source) raising LDL, you have to realize that saturated fat also raises HDL, usually more than it does LDL, resulting in a somewhat improved lipid profile. Much more important is the fact that we now know that LDL is not a single, homogenous molecule. There are at least 6 different subtypes of LDL, and not all of them are "bad".

Saturated fat will raise LDL, but it often raises the more harmless type of LDL particles (called pattern A) and lowers the more athrogenic particles (pattern B).

Your LDL may be higher, but your lipid profile is improved. (This often happens with low-carb diets, but that's a different subject.) Moreover, recent research on coconut oil and obesity showed that coconut oil actually raised HDL and lowered LDL as well as reduced abdominal obesity.

(Ref: http://www.springerlink.com/content/02ngg2413wm2w630/?p=b15b9325833647369012d5e19a06ac9dp=1).

Coconut oil contains lauric acid and capryllc acid, both, known to be anti-microbal. Most of the saturated fat in it is actually MCT (medium chain triglycerides) which the body tends to use as energy rather than to store as fat.

While the reader is correct that there's a lot of support for olive oil as a healthy oil (which it is), that doesn't mean that coconut oil isn't an excellent addition to your kitchen (along with almond oil, flaxseed oil, walnut oil, macademia nut oil, and other healthy unrefined oils).

Friday, February 11, 2011, 6:04 PM

Related PEERtrainer Blog Post:

http://blog.peertrainer.com/tip_of_the_day/2010/05/is-coconut-bad-for-you-because-it-contains-saturated-fat.html

Friday, February 11, 2011, 6:07 PM

Coconut oil contains vitamins C, A, E, natural antioxidants, as well as a strong moisturizer hyaluronic acid. It is recommended for those willing to reduce their weight and besides, it's of the products that can cope with high blood pressure.
the article about coconut oil and blood pressure

Wednesday, April 24, 2013, 8:45 AM

I love coconut oil but it's often sweet. I would love to figure out how to make it taste more like butter. Any suggestions?

Wednesday, May 1, 2013, 1:11 PM

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