Coconut oil - It's the RAGE!!!

       Recently, I met with a new client who was completely frustrated with her weight loss progress.  She was exercising daily and restricting her calories, but had not lost an ounce in the previous 3-4 weeks.  After reviewing her dietary recall, it was clear that her caloric intake was too low AND her macronutrient composition was completely unbalanced.  Immediately, I added calories back into her diet, the most of which were dietary FAT.  What, adding fat to your diet to lose weight?

     Her initial comment was, "Why are you adding coconut oil to my diet?"  There was a look of shock and surprise on her face, and I explained to her that coconuts were "Mother Nature's Prize".  Most people have the same response about adding oil to their diet, but don't clearly understand the benefits of this healthy fat.  There are a number of misconceptions revolving around coconut oil; primarily that it contains cholesterol and trans fats.  Neither of those thoughts are true, but people confuse coconut butter (which has a similar texture to shortening) with hydrogenated oils or butter - both of which contain cholesterol and trans fats.  So, it's only natural for people to assume coconut oil is unhealthy, which is the furthest thing from the truth.  What's even more confusing is that coconut oil contains saturated fat, and when people see that - they avoid it like the plague.  The bottom line is - the saturated fat in coconut oil is healthier than you think.

     Coconuts, in general, are truly Mother Nature's prize.  One of the most researched parts of the coconut has to be coconut water.  As a natural isotonic drink, coconut water has the same level of electrolytes as human plasma.  During the war in the Pacific from 1941-1945 coconut water was used regularly to give emergency plasma transfusions to wounded soldiers (siphoned directly from the nut).  Through years of research, it was found that coconut water contained more potassium (294 mg), less sugar (5 g) and less sodium (25 g) than most commercial sports drinks, which is why many professional endurance athletes have made the jump to coconut water recently.  Once the benefits of coconut water had been well documented, researchers started turning their microscopes onto coconut oil, and what they found amazed them.

     Coconut oil is in fact a saturated fat, but it is comprised primarily of lauric acid which is also found in human breast milk.  Lauric acid is known to have antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antiviral properties AND has been linked to improved immune function.  What's even more beneficial is that lauric acid is made up of medium-chain fatty acids which are easily digested and more readily converted to energy than long chain fatty-acids such as stearic acid which is found in animal products.  These medium-chain fatty acids have been known to speed up metabolism and promote weight loss.  In a 2009 study done by the Federal University of Alagoas in Brazil, 20 women were given 30 ml (a little over 1 oz.) of coconut oil daily as a part of a 12 week diet and exercise program.  The results showed a decreased BMI as well as lower cholesterol levels and a decrease in waist line girth measurements.  Those results were incredible considering a control group of 20 participants were given 30 ml of soybean oil instead of coconut oil and their cholesterol levels worsened and they did not decrease their waistline girth measurements.

     Additionally, coconut oil can withstand high heat without breaking down, so it's an excellent option when it comes to cooking or saut�ing.  For more information on coconut oil CLICK HERE

     Oh, by the way, the client who added the coconut oil to her diet and increased her calories - lost 7 lbs. in the follow 14 days.  Maybe the next time you attempt to drop a few pounds, try eating more and adding some healthy fat instead of restricting your calories!!!