Will Virgin Coconut Oil help me to lose weight?
Asked by anonymous on Apr 23, 2008
in Alternative & Integrative Nutrition
A friend told me that Virgin Coconut Oil helps to detox the system and also helps to lose weight. My friend said just a tsp added to oatmeal will help with weight loss. She is combining this with flax seed oil too. What are the health benefits of coconut oil?
Answer
A few preliminary studies suggest that medium chain triglycerides, like those found in coconut oil, might increase energy expenditure and decrease appetite. Coconut oil contains medium-chain triglycerides (MCT), while most other fats have long-chain triglycerides. MCTs are utilized quickly and are not as likely to be stored as fat. But coconut oil is also high in saturated fat, which is well documented to raise cholesterol levels and the risk for heart disease. Credible medical professionals do not recommend ingesting coconut oil, although one teaspoon a day, at 33 calories, is not harmful. Read about the controversy surrounding coconut oil from the Guide to Alternative Medicine at About.com.
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