first things first… a lesson on fatty acids
Generally speaking, fatty acids are long molecules found in both vegetable and animal products that are used by the body to create lubrication for our joints, insulation for our nerves, protective cushioning for our organs, and ultimately make up the outer membrane of every single cell in our body. By now, I'm sure you've begun to appreciate their importance.
The key to remember about any fat is the types, quantities, and lengths of the fatty acids it contains. To explain, there are both saturated fatty acids (SFA), which lack double bonds (like coconut oil) and are therefore solid at room temperature, and unsaturated fatty acids, which contain double bonds (like our omega oils) and are liquid at room temperature. For a long time, if was believed that saturated fats were bad for our health, but that myth is debunked below. In the food industry, there exists a third form known as hydrogenated fatty acids, which basically means the unsaturated fat has been given a few extra hydrogen atoms to make it more stable at room temperature. However, in doing so, the break down of this product creates trans fats, which are not found in nature and are unrecognizable to our bodies, therefore ending up places they shouldn't - like the walls of our arteries. the myth about saturated fat
A meta-analysis done by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition concluded that we've had it wrong for years - saturated fats are evidently harmless, and there is "no significant evidence that dietary saturated fat is associated with increased risk of Coronary Heart Disease or Cardiovascular Disease". Furthermore, another study from the AJCN showed that replacing SFA with unsaturated fatty acids had no effect on the fluidity or stiffness of arterial walls.
Now this doesn't mean that everyone at risk for heart disease should go liberally divulging on animals fats and cheese, as there is an importance to the type of saturated fat consumed, and of course in moderation. That importance is in it's length. Coconut oil is set apart from other fatty acids because it is made up predominantly (~70%) of medium-chain fatty acids, which are absorbed directly into the digestive tract and sent straight to the liver, and unlike animal and dairy products, they do not require bile salts for breakdown. Coconut oil is therefore a direct source of energy - remember this for later. To top it all off, a saturated fat like coconut oil tolerates high temperatures much better than most unsaturated fats like corn, sunflower, or olive oil, and that is due to it's higher smoke point. The smoke point of an oil is the temperature at which the oil begins to break apart, producing byproducts and free radicals that can be dangerous to the body. Most unrefined oils on the shelves (depending on their quality) have a smoke point ranging from 250 - 320°F, whereas coconut oil ranges upwards of 350°F. Therefore, the use of coconut oil decreases the risk of free radical damage from cooking. why we should all ditch the carbs for fat
While every cell in the body burns glucose (the breakdown product of all carbohydrates), the heart and skeletal muscle in particular prefer fatty acids, as it is a greater source of energy production, and doesn't require insulin to do so. This point is very important, as so much of the population today experiences insulin resistance (the first step to type II diabetes) due to the overburden of insulin our body experiences from all the sugar we consume. FUN FACT: 4 g of sugar on a food label = 1 tsp of white sugar… think about it next time you read the side of a box.
Moreover, the foods we eat and the sources they come from have effects on the way in which our body handles our hormones. Firstly, high amounts of sugar increases insulin, which counters cortisol, leading to more fat storage in the abdomen and less breakdown. Now for the importance of those medium-chain fatty acids I mentioned. One study shows that the thermic effects of medium-chain fatty acids in coconut oil are greater than long-chain fatty acids of equal calorie content, suggesting an important take home message: a calorie is not a calorie. There isfurther evidence to suggest that increasing medium-chain fatty acids in the diet can increase your body's energy expenditure by 5%, which averages an extra 120 calories burnt per day. The ketone bodies that are produced from coconut oil's metabolism is also shown to have appetite reducing effects, meaning less calories consumed throughout the day. So yes, it is too good to be true … sugar = fat storage, and fat = weight loss. other fabulous facts about coconut oil
REMEMBER: like any oil, coconut oil varies in quality. When choosing a brand, go for UNREFINED and VIRGIN forms (meanly those lovely medium-chain fatty acids haven't been destroyed in the making). My favourite so far - Carrington Farm's cold-pressed, organic coconut oil, found at Costco for a fantastic price (~17$ for a tub that will last you months).
11 Comments
rick holmberg
27/1/2014 11:44:50 am
This sounds like something that should be in our pantry. And I was just at costco today.
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Margo
27/1/2014 01:08:53 pm
We'll Rick it is about time I have been buying if from costco for over a year now lots of good benefits with coconut oil :)
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Tracey onyshko
27/1/2014 12:29:58 pm
Nicole my dtgr uses this on her skin.
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Britney Holmberg
27/1/2014 12:39:01 pm
Coconut oil played an essential role in recovering from post concussion syndrome. Swear by it for everything! Great job breaking it down cousin!
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Margo
27/1/2014 01:19:30 pm
Thanks for sharing with us looking forward to your next educational post :)
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Dave
28/1/2014 01:02:57 am
Wrong...your link on sat fat is 5 years old. Check the facts. http://nutritionfacts.org/video/does-coconut-oil-clog-arteries/
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Courtney
29/1/2014 03:26:03 am
Hey Dave, An interesting video.
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10/11/2022 06:42:51 am
Coconut oil can be beneficial in many problems, and using it for weight is also great, but carbs should be avoided as they do not help cut fat.
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© 2018 Courtney Holmberg ND. All rights reserved. Dr. Courtney Holmberg, ND does not endorse or have professional affiliation with any discussed supplement or lab companies. All material provided is for general education and may not be construed as medical advice. The information is not intended to assist in diagnosing to treating a medical condition. Legal & Medical Disclaimer, sitemap