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Using The Amazing Coconut Oil For Weight Loss

Unlike other saturated fats which are bad for your health, coconut oil is a wonder and you need it in your life! Its many health wonders is the reason why using coconut oil for weight loss will produce some amazing results. Just try it out for a month and you will see.

What is so great about coconut oil?

While many people concerned with weight loss may think that they need to avoid all fats, this particular oil should not be one of the fats you avoid like the plague. There are many unhealthy fats but there are also many healthy fats that the body needs for general health and well being which can also help with weight loss.

There are bad fats that you must avoid such as trans fats (eliminate from your diet) and many saturated fats (reduce or eliminate).

The good or healthy fats that you need more of in your life are also known as essential fatty acids (EFAs) and are commonly found in unsaturated fats such as monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats e.g. olive oil, olives, flaxseed oil, flaxseeds, various nuts and seeds, etc.

These good or healthy fats as mentioned earlier are essential for the body and help it to function properly and can also help boost your immune system, cardiovascular activity, help manage diabetes naturally, rheumatoid arthritis, eczema, psoriasis, cancer prevention, and so on and so forth. If you are trying to eliminate all fats from your body because you think this will help you lose weight, you will be doing your body a great disservice.

Instead of saying all fats are evil and should be banished, you need to be asking yourself what fats you need to be eating instead.

But coconut oil is a saturated fat...

This is true. Saturated fats are those that are solid at room temperature unless you reside in very hot climates in which case it will be so hot that the oil will remain in liquid form. If in solid form, this oil will quickly melt once heat is applied including applying body heat when it is rubbed between the palms or applied to skin.

While saturated fats is very unhealthy, it is important to remember that not all saturated fats are created equal and coconut oil while being a saturated fat is one of the good or healthy fats which is why you need it in your diet.

The reason it is considered healthy is because coconut oil is a medium chain fatty acid and not a long chain fatty acid which are the unhealthy saturated fats commonly found in fatty meats, butter, ghee, cheese, cream, and so on and so forth.

What this means is that the medium chain fatty acids in this particular oil can be metabolized much faster than long chain fatty acids. In addition, medium chain fatty acids are also easily absorbed into the small intestines with other nutrients which prevents them from being deposited into the belly as fat which is why coconut oil for weight loss is effective.

Coconut oil and weight loss

Using coconut oil for weight loss works because of the amazing properties of this oil which include the following;

1. Does not add fat

Unlike many other fats and foods that contain fat, coconut oil is not stored in the body as fat. When we eat these other fats or foods that contain fat, these fats are deposited into the blood stream and sent directly to our fat cells.

The medium chain fatty acids found in this oil are not deposited into the bloodstream but are sent directly to the liver to be used for energy like the carbohydrates and simple sugars in our diets. When you eat coconut oil, it is used immediately by the body for energy that is required by the cells in the body for day to day activities.

This is also the reason why this particular oil is recommended for diabetics because unlike carbohydrates and sugars that raise blood sugar levels, coconut oil does not raise blood glucose levels and it can also help to control cravings for sugar. Also note that excess amounts of carbs and sugars in the blood stream are stored as fat reserves in the body.

The way the body uses this oil is why you should replace any other oils that you currently use in your life with this oil. This will not only be healthier but will help you lose weight as fat stores are decreased despite still consuming the healthy fat that the body needs.

2. Metabolism

When we eat food, our metabolic rate increases in order to digest this food. This is the normal rate that everyone has but what is normal varies from one person to another which is why your friend can eat anything including unhealthy fats and not gain a pound whereas all you have to do is look at food and you gain a pound or so. She or he has a faster metabolic rate than you do which helps him or her burn more calories per day than you.

It's unfair but such is life. One of the best common methods used to increase metabolic rate is with exercise and building lean muscle and eating protein to build this lean muscle, so these are methods you can try so that your body starts to burn more calories with an increase rate of metabolism.

Another way of losing weight without exercise by increasing your metabolic rate is to add this particular oil to your diet. The medium chain fatty acids contained in coconut oil are able to boost your metabolism which will cause you to burn more calories which leads to weight loss. How amazing is that?

The medium chain fatty acid are quickly absorbed and burned by the body which helps them to be used as energy for your metabolism which leads to an increase in your rate of metabolism.

3. Increased energy

Because this oil is burned immediately, it leads to a boost in energy and besides boosting your metabolism, it can help increase your performance levels especially if you are an athlete or if you add exercise to your weight loss regimen which will help you produce better results.

These reasons are why using coconut oil for weight loss is so amazing and so effective, so go out to your nearest store and stock up on coconut oil if you haven't done so already.

How to use coconut oil for weight loss?

There are many ways on how to use coconut oil for weight loss. The simplest method is to simply use coconut oil in place of many of the other oils that you use daily in your cooking. You can also use it for baking in place of butter.

If you don't ordinarily use oil in cooking or baking, simply add 3 to 4 tablespoons of coconut oil daily to salads, oatmeal, smoothies, green juices, etc. It is best to spread out these 3 or 4 tablespoon of coconut oil throughout the day and not just consume them in one sitting.

The best coconut oil to use

When using coconut oil for weight loss or other health purposes, it is best to use organic, cold pressed and unrefined coconut oil which contains the most of the healthy properties found in this oil in order to make the most impact on your weight loss as well as your general health and well-being.

If you are interested in using coconut oil for weight loss, do not wait any longer. Get yourself some coconut oil and get it today! You will not be sorry. Especially if you are interested in ways of losing weight without exercising although adding coconut oil to a healthy diet and exercise regimen will produce even better results.

As an added benefit, you can also use this oil externally as it makes an excellent moisturizer and because of its anti-fungal and antibacterial properties, it can also help heal many skin issues while moisturizing your skin. This oil also makes an excellent oil treatment for your hair and its healing properties can help treat your scalp if you have any scalp issues. All this to say that you need coconut oil in your life!

7 Reasons Why You Should Be Using Coconut Oil

It is a common misconception that coconut oil is bad for you. People all over the world are experiencing the healthy benefits of using coconut oil. It is actually one of the healthiest oils you can consume. Here are the top seven reasons why you should use coconut oil as an alternative to other common cooking oils.

1. Coconut oil doesn't turn to fat in your body.

Unlike many other common oils, like soy (vegetable) and corn, coconut oil won't make you fat. Coconut oil contains medium-chain triglycerides (MCT), which are an easy fuel for the body to burn, without turning to fat. Most other cooking oils and fats contain long-chain triglycerides (LCT). LCT's are usually stored as fat. Since coconut oil is a MCT, it is more easily absorbed and converted to energy quicker.

People in the tropics have relied on coconuts as a traditional staple in their diet for centuries. They consume large amounts of coconut oil every day. Instead of getting fatter, it helps them stay healthy, lean and trim. When they switch from coconut oil to our modern oils, they develop obesity and the health problems that our modern society faces.

Some other people who have known this truth for a long time are people who are in the animal feed business. When livestock are fed vegetable oils, they put on weight and produce more fatty meat. When they are fed coconut oil, they become very lean.

2. Coconut oil increases your metabolism.

Not only does coconut oil convert to energy quicker in your body, it increases your metabolism, which promotes weight loss. Because it boosts your metabolism, it helps your body burn fat more effectively.

Coconut oil may triple your calorie burn. Since coconut oil is a MCT, it is converted to energy so quickly that it creates a lot of heat. In a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, MCT's burn three times more calories for six hours after a meal than LCT's.

The February 15, 2005 issue of Woman's World magazine stated that coconut oil is the "underground high-metabolism secret."

This is great news for people who have thyroid problems, since coconut oil improves sluggish thyroids by stimulating the production of extra thyroid hormones. Most other common oils, like vegetable (soy) and corn have been shown to inhibit thyroid function.

3. Coconut oil has omega 3 fatty acids.

Most cooking oils contain omega 6 fatty acids, something we get way too much of in the United States. Our omega 6 to omega 3 ratio should be 1:1 but it is more like 50:1. We need to drastically cut back our omega 6 oils and consume much more omega 3 oils to be healthy. And coconut oil is filled with these healthy omega 3 fatty acids.

4. Coconut oil gives you energy.

Because of the healthy omega 3 fatty acids and the fact that it increases the metabolism, most people that switch to coconut oil feel a burst of added energy in their daily life.

This is because coconut oil is nature's richest source of medium-chain triglycerides (MCT's), which increase metabolic rates and lead to weight loss. MCT's promote thermogenesis, which increases the body's metabolism, producing energy.

Many people with chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia have found that adding coconut and coconut oil to their diet was helpful to them, too.

5. One of the best things you can use on your skin and hair is coconut oil.

Coconut oil one of the best things you can apply directly on your skin and hair. It gives temporary relief to skin problems like rashes. It aids in healing and restoring skin to a younger appearance. It has also been known to help with people who suffer from yeast infections in the skin, as well as many other skin problems.

Not only does is soften and smooth your skin, coconut oil has antioxidant properties that protect the skin from free radical damage. Coconut oil makes excellent massage oil too.

6. Coconut oil has healthy benefits that most other oils do not.

Evidence is mounting that coconut oil has anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-viral effects when both consumed and used topically on the skin.

Most oils oxidize and turn rancid very quickly causing free radical damage in our bodies. Coconut oil is not easily oxidized and does not cause harmful free radical damage like polyunsaturated vegetable oils. Free radical damage is thought to be responsible for many ailments in our body from arthritis to increased susceptibility to cancers.

Coconut oil also helps our bodies absorb other nutrients more effectively, such as Vitamin E.

7. Coconut oil is one of the best oils you can use for cooking.

It has a higher smoke point than olive oil, which means it can take higher temperatures better. There are several healthy omega 3 oils we can choose to consume, such as flax and olive oil, but they don't do well under the high heat we use for cooking. Coconut oil can be used in higher cooking temperatures.

It is harder for coconut oil to go rancid, unlike other cooking oils, which are usually rancid long before you even bring them home. Rancid oils cause free radical damage in the body, which is a leading cause of cancer. Coconut oil is stable for over a year at room temperature.

Because of the misinformation we have been given for years, we have lost out on the healthy benefits that coconut oil has given the people of the tropics for centuries. But now it has been rediscovered! Coconut oil is so effective, it won't be long before we see coconut oil supplements promoted, but you can get the jump on the popular crowd and start consuming and cooking with coconut oil today!

The Different Types of Coconut Oil

What is coconut oil?

Coconut oil (also called copra) is an oil that is extracted from the kernel (the white meat inside a coconut) of ripe coconuts. The scientific name of the coconut palm is Cocos nucifera.

The coconuts are harvested from the coconut palm tree 10 to 12 months after the flower has been pollinated. It has numerous applications in the food, health, and beauty industries. The oil is contains about 90% saturated fat, 6% mono unsaturated fat, and 3% poly unsaturated fat.

It is edible, just like olive oil or almond oil. Unlike other unsaturated and saturated fats, it is made up of mostly medium-chain fatty acids (also called MCFAs). It is the new darling of the Internet generation, being hailed as a miracle oil. As its popularity grows, so do all the questions about it. For instance, how is it produced, what are the different types, what are its uses, how it should be stored, what are its benefits, what do the terms on the labels mean, and which ones should you buy?

We hope this article helps you to:

Understand the benefits and uses of this fantastic oil
Feel confident about consuming it
Decipher the wording used on the product labels
Understand the different production methods
Answer all your questions about it

12 benefits of coconut oil:

1. It has many reported benefits, from supporting normal body functions to maintaining healthy systems*

2. High in lauric acid, used in many medicinal products

3. Supports a normal metabolism*

4. Helps maintain normal blood glucose levels*

5. Supports a healthy heart*

6. Supports a healthy immune system*

7. Maintains normal digestion and nutrient absorption*

8. Hydrates the skin, improves skin tone and softness*

9. Reduces occasional and infrequent itching due to dry skin conditions*

10. Moisturizes hair and supports a healthy scalp*

11. High in antioxidants*

12. It is a source of quick energy, with a lower glucose spike than sugar*

14 uses for coconut oil:

1. Skin moisturizer

2. Key base ingredient in soap production

3. Improving the appearance of stretch marks

4. Massage oil for all types of massage

5. Make many homemade, natural recipes

6. Apply to dry hair to help with luster and frizz

7. Soothes sunburnt skin

8. Shave faces, legs, and armpits

9. Baby oil

10. Season cast iron skillets and frying pans

11. Safe for use on pets for same ailments

12. Carrier oil in aromatherapy

13. Sexual lubricant but not while using latex condoms

14. Oil pulling

Stability and storage of coconut oil

Coconut oil is very high in saturated fat, which makes it slow to turn rancid. All forms of the oil are stable at room temperature. This oil is more stable than other oils because it mainly contains medium chain fatty acids.

These medium chain triglycerides (also called MCTs) are saturated fats. The oil's appearance can change, depending on the temperature of the room. The oil is liquid above 76 degrees Fahrenheit, and will be a solid below that temperature.

When the oil is solid, it is white and thick. When the oil is liquid, it is clear and easy to pour. The high saturated fat content makes coconut oil very stable in heat, meaning that it has a high smoke point and a high flash point. The high saturated fat content also gives the oil a long shelf life. The temperature at which the solid oil becomes liquid is very near to room temperature. It is therefore very easy to change its form.

You can melt coconut oil by applying a low heat source to it, even as subtle as the palm of your hand. You can solidify liquid coconut oil by placing it into a refrigerator. This oil is very stable, and can be stored in either its liquid or solid form. It does not need to be refrigerated, but should be protected from UV rays. Its shelf life can be many years long.

Eating coconut oil

Coconut oil is is rising so quickly in popularity because of its healing, anti-inflammatory properties. Dieters also love coconut oil because of its metabolism supporting medium chain triglycerides (also called MCTs).

Many people avoid eating coconut oil because they are taught that all saturated fats are bad for their health. Americans are taught that saturated fats can lead to obesity, high cholesterol, and heart disease. Not only are natural, non-hydrogenated fats safe to consume, they can also be part of a very healthy, balanced diet, because of their anti-inflammatory properties.

Coconut oil has gained a tremendous following in the paleo diet world, and for good reason. Because coconut oil contains mostly medium-chain fatty acids, it is digested readily and completely. This helps the body easily turn it into energy.

Coconut oil is very high in lauric acid (another source of lauric acid is human breast milk). Lauric acid is popular in homeopathic products, and is very sought after in those industries. Other fats, nut oils, and vegetable oils are made up of long chain fatty acids, or long-chain triglycerides.

Long chain fatty acids are larger molecules that are more difficult for your body to convert and are then stored as fat. The medium chain acids in coconut oil increase your metabolism and can help train your body to use sorted fat for an energy source. It is frequently used for cooking, especially for frying, as it has a high smoke point.

The smoke point of coconut oil is around 180 degrees Fahrenheit. In order for an adult to see a change in their diet, they would typically consume about 4 tablespoons of coconut oil per day. When cooking with any oil, it's wise not to heat it beyond its smoke point.

This is where the oil starts to break down, and must be discarded after use. Cold pressed oils are suited for lower heats, or serving raw, and have a pronounced coconut flavor. Expeller pressed oils are great for frying and can be tasteless and odorless. It has also become very popular in the body hacking circles. It gained huge momentum in the recipe for bulletproof coffee, and is often mixed with cacao and honey for an energy booster.

What kind of coconut oil should I buy? Are all coconut oils the same?

Food and product labeling can be tricky with any item, and there are so many different kinds, with many different labels and claims. Like with any item, it's a good idea to read the label. We'll cover the different labels and terms used for marketing first, and then cover the different production methods in the next section. You'll want to read that section as well, as it identifies which processes are chemical, and which are natural. Some oils can be hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated.

The process of hydrogenating oils increases the shelf life of foods that contain these items, and is considered unhealthy. They are found in processed foods and junk food. From a marketing standpoint, if something isn't labeled with the production method or the terms we cover in the next section, it's probably safe to assume that it is chemically processed or hydrogenated. There are numerous brands available. They vary greatly in price depending on the quality, source, production method, and other factors.

Here are a few key things to watch for:

Price. A dollar an ounce is a good rule of thumb. Anything vastly more expensive than that probably doesn't represent a greater quality, just greater product positioning and marketing.

Color. It should be clear as a liquid, and white as a solid. Yellowish color is not normally found in quality oil.

Scent and Smell. Raw, virgin, cold-pressed, centrifuged, and unrefined coconut oil should smell and taste like a coconut. Expeller pressed, fractionated, and RBD coconut oils should not have a smell or taste to them.

Understanding coconut oil labeling

There are a lot of terms used on the labels, and many different kinds of oil on top of that! Understanding these terms can help you make an informed decision as a consumer.

Organic

Certified organic coconut oil means that the coconuts that were grown to produce the oil did not have any pesticides applied to them. These products are inspected, certified, and bear the "USDA Organic" emblem.

All-natural

All-natural oils are manufactured without any chemicals being used during the production process.

Refined

Refined coconut oil has been processed further than unrefined. Refining removes impurities and coconut flavor.

Unrefined

Unrefined products leave the smell and flavor intact. They have not undergone additional refinement processes.

Virgin vs. extra virgin

There is no difference whatsoever between virgin and extra virgin coconut oil. Extra virgin is a marketing term used to remind you of the higher grade of olive oil.

Raw

High levels of heat have not been used as a method of extracting the coconut oil.

Cold-pressed vs. expeller-pressed

Cold-pressed, expeller-pressed and centrifuged are three methods of extracting oil from dry or fresh coconut. Any of these three methods can be used for either refined or unrefined varieties of this oil.

Production methods

In order to produce an oil from the coconut kernel, all the proteins, water, and fiber must be removed. It takes about 65 coconuts to make a single gallon of oil. There are several processes available to accomplish this. The different methods are listed below.

Wet vs. dry methods

It can be extracted from the kernel by either dry or wet processing. In dry processing, the meat is extracted from the kernel and dried. Production uses heat or alternatively, the meat is left out to dry out in the sun. The dried meat is then either pressed or dissolved with solvents. This produces the oil and a protein mash. The mash is good enough quality to be eaten by humans.

The wet process uses raw coconut meat from the kernel. It is pressed, and the resulting liquid is a mix of oil and water. The oil is separated from the water by the use of centrifuges and conditioners. These may include changes in temperature and the addition of acids, salts, or enzymes. Wet processing is a more expensive method of extraction. The oil is then refined in order to remove free fatty acids, in order to increase the shelf life of the oil.

RBD

RBD is an abbreviation for "refined, bleached, and deodorized." RBD oil is mostly made from dried kernel meat. The dried meat is put into a giant hydraulic press, where it is also heated and the oil is extracted. This is a very efficient method of oil extraction. This coconut oil is not fit for human consumption because it contains contaminants. It must be further refined with filtering to remove impurities from the oil. This is a very common method for commercial production of oil. Refined oil has no taste or smell.

RBD is sold in grocery stores as "liquid" coconut oil, and is used for cooking. It is also used in industry for food processing, cosmetics, and in pharmaceuticals. Because it's refined it can tolerate higher cooking temperatures and has a high smoke point. This is why it is often used for deep-frying foods. RBD oil has the same beneficial medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) and the same nutritional value as virgin oil. Refined oil is budget friendly, as it costs less than other oils. It's also well suited for skin moisturizing.

Hydrogenated

RBD coconut oil goes through additional processing to become partially or fully hydrogenated oil. This is typically done to increase its melting point, and give it added stability and shelf life. Since natural coconut oils melt at 76 degrees Fahrenheit, foods containing the oil would melt in warmer temperatures. The melting point of hydrogenated coconut oil is 100 degrees Fahrenheit. During the hydrogenation process, unsaturated fats are combined with hydrogen in a chemical process to make them more saturated. In the hydrogenation process, some of the unsaturated fats in the oil are transformed into trans fatty acids.

Fractionated Coconut Oil

Fractionated coconut oil is steam distilled oil, where almost all of the long chain fatty acids are removed. Steam distillation is an all-natural process, whether the underlying oil is organic or not. There aren't any chemicals used in the refinement process. This leaves behind only the medium chain triglycerides, (also called MCTs). This also makes the oil completely saturated.

Fractionated coconut oil is also rich in capric and caprylic acids. These are considered to be the most beneficial components of the oil, prized for their role in diets, medical uses, and in the cosmetic industry. Fractionated coconut oil is also the only coconut oil used as a carrier oil in aromatherapy. Fractionated coconut oil is also liquid at very low temperatures, so it won't ever turn solid at room temperature. It's completely clear and has no scent or taste. Fractionated coconut oil (also called FCO) has an almost indefinite shelf life. It also makes an excellent emollient. It absorbs rapidly into the skin, and has a moisturizing effect on skin and hair.

Centrifuged

This oil is made by first pressing the fresh meat of the coconut to yield a mash. Using a centrifuge, the mash is then concentrated to obtain a pure oil, removing the water and impurities. Centrifuged oil has a very light flavor and smell. All moisture and solids can be removed without heat, so it can be labeled as raw and retains all of its nutrients. It is one of the most expensive oils on the market.

Cold pressed

Despite its name, cold pressing still uses heat - just not nearly as much as expeller pressing. To manufacture cold pressed oil, the white coconut meat is shredded and dried, usually with heat. The dried coconut meat is pressed while exposing it to different levels of heat. The resulting oil must be filtered to remove proteins that are still present in the solution. Cold pressed oil has a definite coconut taste and smell to it. It is considered raw, because it has not been exposed to high heat, and retains most of its nutrients.

Expeller pressed

Most of the coconut oil produced in the world is expeller pressed. It is a much simpler extraction method, as there are less variables surrounding heat and the drying method of the kernel meat. The coconut meat is dried, typically by leaving it out in the sun. The coconut meat is pressed in giant expeller presses that generate both heat and pressure to extract the oil. This oil must be cleaned and have the coconut smell removed from it. Expeller pressed oil can also be called RBD coconut oil (see above). Expeller pressed coconut oil is the only coconut oil that is not raw, and does not smell or taste like coconut. Expeller pressing is a mechanical process for extraction. It does not rely on solvent extracts or chemical processes. Expeller pressed oil has less of a taste than cold pressed coconut oil. It also has a higher smoke point and flash point. This kind of oil is a great choice to use for cooking.

Unrefined and raw

Usually sold and marketed as virgin or extra virgin, raw oil or unrefined oil is manufactured from the first pressing of raw white coconut meat using mechanical pressure. It is made without the addition of any chemical processing. There are numerous variables that go into the production of this oil, and therefore, there are a wide range of flavors and degrees of scent. Producing virgin coconut oil from the kernel meat involves removing the shell and washing, then extracting the oils using the wet or dry process. Virgin coconut oil can also be extracted from the kernel meat by shredding it and allowing it to dry, then using a screw press to extract the oil from the grated, dried meat.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

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