Can you really lose weight with coconut oil?

Recent research has shown this tropical oil can increase your metabolism and help you burn fat faster.

One problem with today's weight loss strategies is the belief that fat is bad for you and causes you to gain weight.

We know eating too many hydrogenated fats can result in excessive fat calories and high cholesterol levels. Truth be known, fats are an essential part of a healthy diet. Your body needs fats to produce hormones and cellular membranes. Fats also help your body absorb certain fat-soluble minerals and vitamins (such as vitamin A & D). Without fats, our bodies just can't function properly.

If you want to lose weight, you have to do it in a balanced and healthy way. Healthy eating and daily exercise will go a long way to helping you reach your ideal body weight.

But is it possible to lose weight with coconut oil and still eat your favorite foods?

Coconut Oil and Weight Loss

Hmmm, coconut oil and weight loss. You may be thinking, "Isn't coconut oil bad for you?"

Well, the history of coconut oil shows it got a bad reputation during the anti-fat crusade over 50 years ago. These outdated studies used hydrogenated coconut oil which caused an increase in cholesterol levels...and we all know that any hydrogenated fat is bad for you.

However, unlike hydrogenated coconut oils from the past, virgin coconut oil is not hydrogenated and has no cholesterol. In fact, it's one of the healthiest fats to have in your diet.

So let's take a closer look to see if you can lose weight with coconut oil:

Can Virgin Coconut Oil Increase Your Metabolism and Encourage Fat Loss?

- One thing we know is virgin coconut oil contains medium chain fatty acids (MCFA), also called Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCT).

- Studies show your body digests MCFA's more easily than other fats. In fact, they follow a completely different pathway when eaten. They're sent directly to your liver to be metabolized and converted into a rapid source of energy. This leads to an increase in your metabolism, improving your chances for faster weight loss and providing more energy.

- A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found patients lost weight when they included MCFA's in their diet. In fact, they found patients lost more weight with a diet including MCFA's compared to a diet with olive oil.

Can Virgin Coconut Oil Reduce Your Food Cravings?

- We all know eating too much food can contribute to weight gain. If you've ever suffered from food cravings, you know how easily they can sabotage the best weight loss plans.

- I believe that low-fat diets make your body crave fat. When I try to lose bodyfat, I try to increase my intake of healthy oils so I get a nutritious source of healthy fats in my diet. I find it helps reduce my appetite and cravings for fatty food. Supplementing your diet with healthy fats (such as coconut oil, fish oils, flaxseed oil, or olive oils) will help sustain a feeling of fullness and may reduce food cravings.

How Much Weight Can You Lose With Virgin Coconut Oil?

The amount of weight you lose will depend on a number of factors.

Eating a healthy diet and including moderate exercise will play a key role to successful long term weight loss. If you wish to lose weight with coconut oil it should be a slow, gradual and healthy process.

Some people have reported losing up to 5 pounds a week using virgin coconut oil, but I think this may be a bit excessive. Some health experts suggest a healthy weight loss is about 1 pound a week.

Medical Research on Coconut Oil and Weight Loss

There are studies showing medium chain triglycerides help boost metabolism, leading to weight loss.

A recent study at McGill School of Dietetics and Human Nutrition in Montreal (Canada), tested an oil made of medium chain triglycerides on men and women who were 25 pounds overweight. The oil consisted of 67% tropical oils, including coconut oil, flaxseed oil and olive oil.

Peter Jones, a professor in charge of the study, states that the oil, "...is directed towards the liver for combustion and burned as energy. The oil is not stored in the body as fat and heightens the metabolism, which is a key in maintaining a healthy body weight. There is also some provocative data suggesting that oils rich in MCT reduce appetite.”

Male participants lost an average of one pound over a month. “After consuming the oil over a year, a man could lose 1 pound per month or 12 pounds per year,” says Jones, noting that female participants experienced heightened metabolic rates.

You may find testimonials on the internet from people who have lose weight with coconut oil. This weight loss could be due to the increase in metabolism from the MCFA's, a reduction in calories, or increase in physical activity.

In the meantime, if you wish to try using coconut oil to lose weight, remember to consult your physician before beginning any weight loss/exercise plan.

How to Take Virgin Coconut Oil for Weight Loss

If you're going to take coconut oil, I think the best way is by gradually introducing it into your daily diet.

I originally started frying with it. I would use virgin coconut oil instead of vegetable oils. I found it works great when frying eggs. The eggs slide right off the hot pan and you'll be treated to the heavenly aroma of fresh coconuts while cooking.

I also make a pre-workout drink by mixing a tablespoon of coconut oil into a glass of hot water. I take this before hitting the gym and I find it really boosts my energy levels throughout my entire workout.

Once you're used to taking 1 tablespoon of coconut oil a day, you can try slowly increasing this amount until you're consuming 2 to 3 tablespoons daily.

Try using these Virgin Coconut Oil Weight Loss Shake Recipes for easy & nutritious ways to get your daily dose of Virgin Coconut Oil. These recipes use many healthy ingredients such as ground flaxseeds and fresh fruits. These delicious shakes may help you lose weight with coconut oil...and I find them a lot tastier than eating the oil right out of the bottle.

Conclusions:

Remember that weight loss should be done in a healthy and balanced manner. Eating a nutritious diet and getting plenty of physical activity will play a key role in reaching your weight loss goals.

It may be possible to lose weight with coconut oil because:

• It gives your body the healthy fats it needs for optimal health and energy.
• It may increase your metabolism - the medium chain fatty acids are digested faster resulting in increased metabolism and more calories burned.
• May reduce your food cravings - You get a great source of healthy fat in your body, so you feel satisfied and full, lessening your food cravings.

Remember that coconut oil is a not a one-stop, instant cure for weight loss. This healthy natural oil can help boost your metabolism and get you on the road to healthy managable weight loss.

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