back to nature: MYTH OF COCONUT OIL : SATURATED OIL CAUSING OBESITY.

1) FEWER CALORIES

One of the reasons why coconut oil is effective in reducing body fat and reducing weight is because it contains fewer calories than any other fat. For this reason, it has gained the distinction of being the world's only natural, low-calorie fat.

2) INCREASE METABOLISM

Its advantage in weight management is due primarily to its affect on metabolism.

Medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) in coconut oil are smaller than other fats and, therefore, digest very quickly, so quickly in fact, that the body uses them as an immediate source of fuel rather than pack them away in storage inside our fat cells.

MCTs are used to produce energy much like carbohydrates and, therefore, they do not circulate in the bloodstream to the degree that other fats do. For this reason, they do not supply fat to fat cells or contribute to weight gain.

One study evaluated the body weight and fat storage for three different diets;
diets-a low-fat diet, a high-fat diet containing LCTs (long-chain triglyceride), and a high-fat diet containing MCTs.

Calorie content in the diets were elevated to induce weight gain. The testing period lasted for 44 days. At the end of that time, the low-fat diet group had stored an average of 0.47 grams of fat per day, and the LCT group 0.48 grams/day, while the MCT group deposited only 0.19 grams of fat per day.3

The MCT group had a 60 percent reduction in the amount of body fat stored as compared to the other diets.

Because MCTs are used by the body as a source of fuel to produce energy, they have a stimulatory affect on metabolism.

Studies have shown that MCTs boost metabolism, thus increasing the body's use of calories. As a result, calories obtained from all the foods we eat are burned up at a higher rate, so that fewer remain to be packed away as body fat. This boost in metabolism remains elevated for as long as 24 hours after eating a meal containing MCTs. So you enjoy an increased level of energy and continue to burn calories at an accelerated rate for many hours after the meal.4

This increase in metabolism also leads to a rise in body temperature.

Those people who are overweight because of low thyroid function (hypothyroid) can utilized the metabolic stimulating action of coconut oil to help them shed excess pounds.

PHOTO : REUTERS

3) DECREASE FOOD CONSUMPTION AND CRAVINGS

Another interesting feature about coconut oil is that it helps to decrease total food and calorie consumption. Coconut oil is more satisfying than other fats. When added to meals, people tend to eat less food and feel fuller longer, so they don’t eat as much at the next meal.

For example, in one study women were given a drink which contained either MCTs (from coconut oil) or an oil with LCTs. Thirty minutes later, they were offered lunch in which they could choose and eat as much as they wanted. The women who had the MCT oil before the meal ate less food.1

In another study, a group of normal-weight men were fed a meal for breakfast differing only in the type of fat used. Later, food intakes at lunch and dinner were measured. Those eating breakfasts containing MCTs ate less at lunchtime likewise when dinner.2

This study showed that when MCTs were eaten at one meal, hunger is forestalled for longer and less food is eaten at the next.It is important that even though subjects ate less at lunch, they did not make up for it by eating more at dinner hence total daily food intake decreased.2

Sticking to a strict weight loss diet has it challenges. No matter how hard we try, when favourite foods, especially sweets, are placed in front of our eyes, it can be too easy to succumb to temptation.
Here is another benefit with coconut oil. As you add coconut oil into your diet, your cravings for sugar will lessen.

Changing the type of oil you use in meal preparation is a simple step you can take to lose weight. The results are even greater when you combine the weight-reducing effects of coconut oil with a low-carb diet. Weight loss success get even better with a very low-carb, ketogenic diet.

On a coconut oil based ketogenic diet you can eat delicious, full-flavored foods like steak, eggs, roasts, gravy, cream, and butter, as well as healthy fruits and vegetables and lose weight without suffering from hunger or feelings of depravity. For this reason, weight loss can be easy and permanent.

This process is deemed to be thermogenic (heat generating) and has an elevating effect on our metabolic rates by as long as 24 hours after consumption.

An elevated metabolic rate generally means a higher calorific requirement by the body. Food consumed will be burnt up much more than to be kept as body fat.

TIPS TO STAY TRIM:

Exercise at least 5 times per week with each session at not less than 30 minutes.

Exercises must be aerobic (breathing is required) in nature which will
promote the oxidation of body fat for energy.

Aerobic effect is attained when the heart beat rate is maintained at
between 60-80% of Maximum Heart Rate (calculated at 225 - age)
for minimum of 20 minutes.

Reduce intake of carbohydrates to not more than 40% of total food intake. especially when there is no intense energy requirement thereafter especially for dinner.