Coconut Oil... Make the Switch!
The wonderful, beautiful world of coconut. Finally a SUPERFOOD that lives up to its hype!
Coconut fats have special fats called medium chain triglycerides (MCTs). It has been shown that breaking down these types of healthy fats in the liver leads to efficient burning of energy. One 2009 study found that women who consumed 30 milliliters (about 2 tablespoons) of coconut oil daily for 12 weeks not only did not gain more weight, but actually had lowered amounts of abdominal fat, a type of fat that is difficult to lose, and contributes to more heart problems.
What else can this super oil do? Glad you asked!
Helps reduce oxidative stress - meaning it helps slow aging and decrease the damage done to cells and tissues.
Coconut oil contains a lot of medium chain triglycerides, which are metabolized differently and can have therapeutic effects on several brain disorders.
It is a fact that different foods affect our bodies and hormones in different ways. In this regard, a calorie is NOT a calorie.The medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) in coconut oil can increase energy expenditure compared to the same amount of calories from longer chain fats. One study found that 15-30 grams of MCTs per day increased 24 hour energy expenditure by 5%, totaling about 120 calories per day. So you may lose weight just by substituting coconut oil for your other cooking oils, adding it to oatmeal, spreading it on toast or using it in place of oils in baked goods.
The fatty acids and breakdown products in coconut oil can kill harmful pathogens(bacteria, viruses, fungi), potentially helping to prevent infections.
The fatty acids are turned into ketones, which can reduce seizures (being studied in the treatment of epileptic children)
Studies in both humans and rats show that coconut oil improves important risk factors like Total, LDL and HDL cholesterol, which may translate to a reduced risk of heart disease.
The fatty acids in coconut oil can significantly reduce appetite, which may positively affect body weight over the long term.
Studies show that the fatty acids in coconut oil can increase blood levels of ketone bodies, supplying energy for the brain cells of Alzheimer’s patients and relieving symptoms. (a great book about helping improve brain health is Grain Brain by Dr Perlmutter (Side note: I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to transition off gluten and grains and into utilizing healthy fats for fuel. Minimizing the risks of dementia, Alzheimer's, mood disorders, obesity, diabetes, poor gut health and the list goes on and on.)
Coconut oil appears to be especially effective in reducing abdominal fat, which lodges in the abdominal cavity and around organs.
