Coconut oil - magic or myth?

SRH7

I've been doing a low carb diet for a month now and have started to look at what fats I am eating. I'm trying to stick to monosaturates such as olive oil but have heard that coconut oil is some kind of 'wonder drug', helping you to lose fat etc etc. I struggle to get the right amount of good fats in my diet and wonder if this might help.

An internet search brings out so much info that I don't know where to begin. The positive reports say you have to have 3tbsp a day for it to have any effect.

Bottom line is... have you tried it and do you think it works?

And, if so, how do you 'eat' it? Eating spoonfuls of fat every day doesn't sound very appetising!

fatgirlslove

I wanna know too!

mamaturner

I use it- I've had no wonder weight loss but I like to cook with it. Has a great smoke point so its great in tons of applications. I have Lou Anne's pure coconut oil- it'll either be a solid or a liquid depending on the temperature in your house.

JennLifts

I don't believe it be to be some kind of fat loss agent, but I believe it to be good fats.
I use it as much as I can. I add it to oatmeal, cook in it (doesn't really make things taste like it), mix it with stuff to put on sandwiches, like pb or cottage cheese. Only thing is, it's hard to add to things that are cold. It gets hard very fast. But it can be used to replace butter too in baking or cooking.

SRH7

Is it okay to cook with it? Again, I've been reading loads of different things online about it not being suitable for heating (turning into a transfat etc - not sure if this is a myth).

Silverkittycat

I stir a Tbsp. in to hot tea daily when I'm trying NOT to lose weight, or would like to gain. Currently I'm getting almost 50% of my calories from fat though, the rest in carbs and protein. I also use it (or butter) for cooking.

Sorry, I've experienced no magic.

dittiepe

It's ok to cook with. It should say so on the bottle, even. It tolerates high heat. But that's about it. It's not a miracle cure or anything like that

Takotorau

Bump

SRH7

Thanks everyone. Guess if it was a 'miracle' then doctors would be prescribing it to us! Think I will stick with olive oil for now - at least it's easier to buy from the supermarket!

crisanderson27

Thanks everyone. Guess if it was a 'miracle' then doctors would be prescribing it to us! Think I will stick with olive oil for now - at least it's easier to buy from the supermarket!

Olive oil is one you should avoid cooking with, from my research. It has a very low point of heat for going rancid (the whole trans fat thing). I will bake with it on low temps...but never fry with it anymore. I use lard, or butter to fry with.

dittiepe

Olive oil is one you should avoid cooking with, from my research. It has a very low point of heat for going rancid (the whole trans fat thing). I will bake with it on low temps...but never fry with it anymore. I use lard, or butter to fry with.

Agree. Wouldn't cook with olive oil. I use sunflower oil to cook with.

mcjabber

I don't know about cooking, but it's certainly been magical on my hair! :laugh:

Paddy31

Olive oil is one you should avoid cooking with, from my research. It has a very low point of heat for going rancid (the whole trans fat thing). I will bake with it on low temps...but never fry with it anymore. I use lard, or butter to fry with.

I have to disagree with you. Most trans fats in food are the result of an industrial hydrogenation process. Frying in oils such as sunflower or olive oil has an insignificant effect in producing trans fats.

The reason for not cooking with olive oil is that you lose the flavours if you heat it beyond about 375 degrees and it costs a fortune.

On the other hand, I think sunflower oil has more polyunsaturates than olive oil, so may be a better choice.

So, I was really just disagreeing about the trans-fats 'cos that doesn't happen.

JennLifts

It's fine to cook with lol..

Erindipitous

Thanks everyone. Guess if it was a 'miracle' then doctors would be prescribing it to us! Think I will stick with olive oil for now - at least it's easier to buy from the supermarket!

Not saying coconut oil is a miracle.. But I hate the phrase "If such and such worked, doctors would prescribe it."

You'd be surprised what knowledge is out there, and what doctor's don't "prescribe" -- Say, high doses of vitamin C to get rid of cancer.. High doses of niacin to nix depression..

[Edited to correct a typo]

minimommy1

The research I have done on coconut oil - including Dr. Oz.- says that coconut oil is one of the best for you. It doesn't stick to your arteries like other oils do. Treat it like a healthy fat. I basically use it to sautee with. I will have to try using it on toast - I have heard it is very good.
The other oil I use is Flax Seed oil. However, you can't cook with it so I use it in my potatoes and salad dressings.

Zeromilediet

There's no such thing as a miracle food. Just foods that are healthier alternatives than others. I use coconut oil for cooking and make ghee which I mix with it to get the butter flavour I like without the milk solids in butter. If you read about coconut oil you'll find that it's saturated fat profile is actually healthy compared to other solid fats and liquid oils. It's solid at room temperature below 68F; it does not have to be stored in the refrigerator. Only buy extra virgin coconut oil from a reputable supplier.

It can also be used as a moisturizer.

zapatasbloodjv

the magic part of it is based on some books claiming that coconut oil is a cure all from bad skin to cancer.

I had a neighbor who went full tilt with the idea....using the oil for all things and drinking coconut water exclusively.


I dont think he found a cure for aids or ne other deadly disease but despite is heavy oil usage he didnt gain ne weight either. He went thru jars of that stuff a week.

My take its a good oil for fats, along with olive oil. I still prefer olive oil.

crisanderson27

Thanks everyone. Guess if it was a 'miracle' then doctors would be prescribing it to us! Think I will stick with olive oil for now - at least it's easier to buy from the supermarket!

Not saying coconut oil is a miracle.. But I hate the phrase "If such and such worked, doctors would prescribe it."

You'd be surprised what knowledge is out there, and what doctor's don't "prescribe" -- Say, high doses of vitamin C to get rid of cancer.. High doses of niacin to nix depression..

[Edited to correct a typo]

Research Chagga (sp) tea, in regards to cancer...and non-American apricot pits. There's some incredible evidence out there...which I've experienced with immediate friends...that suggests the American drug companies have specifically lobbied for some of these 'narural medicines' to be made illegal. The apricot pits for example. It is illegal to grow or sell apricot pits that haven't been genetically altered in the US.

Crazy stuff.

Anyway, back to topic!

reneelee

I don't know about cooking, but it's certainly been magical on my hair! :laugh:

Yes extra virgin coconut oil is the only oil that actually gets into the hair cuticle making the hair softer and less frizzy. I melt some in a pan on warm heat on top of stove when melted and cooled I place the melted oil in a bottel that I us to dye my hair with. Section you hair and apply oil on small sections of hair combing each section to get oil all the way thru. Place a shower cap on your hair and clean the house, leaving the shower for last. wash hair two times rinsing well and condition like normal. You will love how your hair feels and look!

olivia3263

I've just started using it, and I've noticed a HUGE difference in just 2 days. I have had all the signs of hypothyroidism: low resting heart rate (mine was 45), low body temperature (mine was usually around 96 - sometimes 97 if I was lucky), difficulty losing weight while on a calorie restricted diet, dry skin and hair, etc.). And my mom has hypothyroidism, and it's known to be hereditary and common in women who have spent a lot of time dieting. I got checked out years ago and it was negative, but that doesn't mean I don't have a low grade version now. I've lost a decent amount of weight but have hit plateau after plateau and have been doing A LOT of dietary experimentation trying to pinpoint why this was happening. I came across coconut oil for thyroid function (as well as the millions of other benefits they talk about) and decided to try it.

I started with 1 tablespoon that I cooked my dinner in the other night(salmon and swiss chard). Prior to dinner I was exhausted because I hadn't gotten any sleep the night before due to an allergic reaction to something. Within 30 minutes after I finished my dinner I got this sudden burst of energy and I proceeded to clean my entire kitchen, top to bottom, decided I liked this stuff so I found ingredients in my cupboard to bake my own granola for the morning so I could have a burst of whatever this was before my morning run. I had already planned to have a bowl of ice cream as dessert, but I never got hungry enough to have it - and I had been looking forward to that all day. I didn't crave it at all - and usually at that time I would've been starving for it.

It was a little tough for me to get to sleep, but when I finally did I slept like a baby and woke up bright and early for my workout. Had a couple bite-fulls of my granola and went running - fastest run ever, muscles didn't get tired, no pain - none. I worked up to 2 tablespoons today, and I'm hoping to get to the recommended dose of 3 tablespoons a day (1 with every meal).

Also, this morning I took my resting heart rate - it was up to 58!!! - much more appropriate for my fitness level (45 is only good if you're an olympic athlete). My temperature was 98.4!!! I felt a healthy buzz throughout the entire day - it's like I've been working soooo hard with only 80% of my potential - now I feel like 100% and I've moved more today than I have every day of last week.

Anyway, in the 2 days I've used this, I've lost 2 pounds so far (could be a fluke, but I don't think so, given my boost in heart rate). I have so much more energy and life and color is returning to my face. I'm so excited I found this stuff, and I look forward to reaping the benefits.

I HIGHLY recommend it.

Michelle_M2002

Coconut oil does not get stored in your body as fat. It goes straight to your liver to be broken down, and actually encourages your liver to go into fat burning mode. It's the absolute healthiest oil you can put into your body.

Olive oil is good for you, but should only be used raw. You should be buying organic extra virgin, cold pressed. When it is heated, it starts to break down and is no longer healthy for you.

Coconut oil is the oil is the oil you should be using for cooking with. It stays stable at a higher temperature. Again, organic, extra virgin is best.

Healthy fats are:
Cheese from grass fed cows.
Butter from grass fed cows.
Coconut oil.
Olive oil.
Fish oil.
Krill oil.
Cod liver oil.
Avocado.

Fats to avoid:
Corn oil
Safflower oil.
Soy oil.
Vegetable oil.
Canola oil.
Margarine.
Shortening of any kind.

I love my coconut oil. I have been using it for two months. In two months, due to my diet changes and working out I've lost 21 pounds. I ONLY use the above healthy fats. I use coconut oil on a daily basis. The goal is to get 2 to 3 teaspoons in daily.

God bless!

bevskiwolf

wow. i just love this place! xoxo

Michelle_M2002

Thanks everyone. Guess if it was a 'miracle' then doctors would be prescribing it to us! Think I will stick with olive oil for now - at least it's easier to buy from the supermarket!

Not saying coconut oil is a miracle.. But I hate the phrase "If such and such worked, doctors would prescribe it."

You'd be surprised what knowledge is out there, and what doctor's don't "prescribe" -- Say, high doses of vitamin C to get rid of cancer.. High doses of niacin to nix depression..

[Edited to correct a typo]

I COMPLETELY agree with this!

Example: A week and a half ago I had severe pain in my side and drove to the ER at 11:00pm when I couldn't take the pain anymore. Turns out I had a kidney stone that i was in the process of passing, and more in my kidney. The doctor prescribed 4 medications. I am breastfeeding, and was told that I would have to pump and dump for ELEVEN DAYS! No way. I went to my chiropractor first thing on Friday, who practices Nutrition Response Testing. She hooked me up with some supplements would:

1. Turn kidney stones to jelly
2. Naturally reduce inflammation and act as a pain medication.
3. Help drain the "jellied" kidney stones
4. Natural antibiotic to treat the urinary tract infection that came along with the kidney stone.
5. Balance my parathyroid, which was responsible for taking too much calcium, and then depositing it in my kidneys CAUSING the kidney stones.
and
6. A natural form of niacin and B6 which my body needed.

All of these worked naturally, were safe for breast feeding, and best of all not only treated the symptom but CURED the cause (the parathyroid).

Doctor's get HUGE kickbacks from pharmaceutical companies to push their drugs. And pharmaceutical companies try their hardest to block natural healing products because it cuts into their pockets, due to the fact that they are healthier than many of the drugs.

Hyperbolic chambers can cure MANY MANY MANY ailments. But it's difficult to gain access to one. The healthier people are, the less money the pharmaceutical companies and doctors make.

Now, I'm not saying that there is NEVER a need for pharmaceutical drugs. I realize that some people truly do need them. All I'm saying is that you can't always say "If this worked, more doctors would prescribe it." Because that's not always true. Our society relies TOO MUCH on pills to "fix" things.. especially when the drugs themselves can do as much harm to our bodies as good.

I'm a huge fan of doing my own research. YOU are your own biggest advocate. No one else will work as hard for your health as you would.

God bless!

jellerose

Coconut oil as been as close to a "miracle food" for me as one can be. It's helped me lose almost 20 lbs without feeling physically deprived. I still have the psychological hunger sometimes but it's easier to manage than it used to be. I cook my scrambled eggs in a generous amount of it and most anything else cooked gets some added. I may still add olive oil and/or butter for a change of flavor (I don't get any coconut taste from the oil but sometimes want the olive or butter taste) but not until closer to the end of cooking if I'm using high heat. It's very stable and doesn't go rancid or burn easily. Great in salads or smoothies, whatever.

Along the way (in just a couple of months) I also went from prehypertension to normal blood pressure. I still weigh more than I did when my BP was originally diagnosed as being high so I doubt it's just the weight loss.

I also cut out wheat and grains except for "cheats" and would have a hard time getting enough calories without the good fats, I'm just not as hungry anymore. Giving up grains might have also been a factor in the lowered BP but it had started lowering before that.

jstalittlecrzy

http://www.coconutresearchcenter.org/article10612.htm

Good article on coconut oil

iheartyarn

anything one might use butter in, i use coconut oil in. i fry my eggs in spread it on toast, put it in my oatmeal, i use it in all kinds of baking and my husband makes killer fried rice with it. its actually pretty much the only oil we use, except for some high quality raw olive oil to dip french bread in

Care563

I use it for cooking. I also use it as a moisturizer for my feet and elbows. love it.

bluebird321

Very stable and doesn't oxidize that easily. it's also a great way to add calories to the diet without using carbs since the MFCs in it are converted to energy without paying a price with an insulin spike. It's also a Great source of lauric acid. It's not a miracle food, but it is useful like any other good source of nutrition.

dawnmichelea

Wow, very interesting. I'm definitely gonna do some more research! Thanks!

Leanne1795

I love and adore this stuff. I use it in cooking, all over my skin and in my hair. I won't say it is a miracle cure-all but it certainly gives me energy, soft skin and great hair!