I know what you’re thinking – isn’t oil the same as fat? How can fat possibly increase your metabolism? Well, coconut oil most certainly is fat, but not all fats are created equal. This one is different. Instead of being stored in your body as fat, this oil is converted directly into energy in your body, just like carbs. And because of its exceptional properties, it not only speeds up your metabolism, it provides other health benefits as well.
Coconut Oil vs. Other Oils
Coconut oil's molecules are different from those in other oils. Most saturated fats are made up of long-chain fatty acids (LCFAs), but coconut oil is made of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs). Because of this difference, coconut oil is digested and processed differently in your body than other fats.
LCFAs vs. MCFAs
These medium-chain fatty acids make all the difference. Whereas LCFAs ( in most dietary fats) are transported through lymph and stored as fat tissue, MCFAs (in coconut oil) are transported through the blood directly to the liver and converted to energy. So eating coconut oil provides energy like a carbohydrate, and does not increase body fat.
MCFAs are easily absorbed by the energy producing organelles within your cells, rapidly burned, and used as energy to boost your metabolism. MCFAs are not only burned for energy production, but they also encourage the burning of long-chain fatty acids that get stored as fat.
Coconut oil is the most concentrated source of medium-chain fatty acids found naturally.
How Coconut Oil Boosts Your Metabolism
Research shows that when you eat a meal that contains coconut oil, your metabolic rate will speed up and remain in high gear for 24 hours. As a bonus, you should experience a higher energy level.
It’s been said that adding medium-chain fatty acids to your diet is the equivalent of adding high-octane fuel to your gas tank. Just as the car would run more smoothly and get better mileage, your body will perform better with a higher energy level and enhanced endurance.
As reported by Bruce Fife in his book, The Coconut Oil Miracle, here are the results of studies regarding coconut oil’s ability to increase metabolism:
- In one study where a diet containing 40% MCFAs was compared to a diet containing 40% LCFAs, “the thermogenic effect (heat produced during digestion which speeds up metabolism) of the MCFAs was almost twice as high as that of the LCFAs.”
- Another study, where 400-calorie meals of MCFAs and LCFAs were compared, “the thermogenic effect of MCFAs over six hours was three times greater than that of LCFAs.” This lead researchers to conclude that as long as calorie intake remained constant, MCFAs would ignite weight loss.
- Yet another study, measuring the amount of calories used by the body (energy expenditure), showed that there was a 48% increase in energy expenditure in normal-weight individuals after eating a meal containing MCFAs. Meaning, “their metabolism had increased to the point that they were burning 48 percent more calories than normal.”
And remember, this calorie burning effect speeds up the metabolism for 24 hours. You will experience a higher level of energy and be burning calories at an accelerated rate long after artificial metabolism boosters like caffeine would have stopped working and caused an unnatural crash.
How Do I Use Coconut Oil?
Coconut oil can be used as a substitute for the other oils you use in cooking – soybean oil, canola oil, safflower oil, vegetable oil, etc.
If you can handle it, scoop a tablespoon of coconut oil and send it straight down the hatch. It is recommended that you start out with small amounts to allow your body to get used to processing increasing amounts. However, you shouldn’t ingest more than 3 to 5 tablespoons of coconut oil a day – overdoing it or taking too much too soon could result in diarrhea, vomiting and generally feeling lousy. It’s in keeping with “too much of a good thing …”
What Do I Look for and Where Can I Find Coconut Oil?
Health food stores carry coconut oil, and there are many sources online as well. Look for virgin coconut oil as opposed to the refined versions. And if you can buy organic, that’s even better.
It is also available in soft gel capsules for those who don’t like the taste of coconut oil or who rarely cook with it.
The Tip of the Coconut Oil Iceberg
Coconut oil isn’t just a great metabolism booster. It’s also a fantastic germ fighter, an aid to weight loss, a catalyst for beautiful skin and hair, and a general health improver. So as you experience an increase in your metabolism and energy level while using coconut oil, don’t be surprised when you reap other health benefits as well.
Sources:
- Bruce Fife, The Coconut Oil Miracle. New York: Penguin, 2004.
- AA Papamandjaris, DE MacDougall, and PJ Jones, "Medium-chain fatty acid metabolism and energy expenditure: obesity treatment implications," National Center for Biotechnology Information, accessed February 13, 2011.
- Dr. K. Shane Neifert, " Why Saturated Fat is Good For You," Prevention is Best, accessed February 14, 2011.
Join the Conversation