Coconut oil

I bought some organic coconut oil today for my skin and hair. While googling it, I came across an article on the Huffington post which claimed, among other things, that consuming coconut oil would boost your metabolism. Of course it didn't say how much you would need to consume?

Anyone heard anything like this? Or is it another fairy tale?
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Replies

  • This is a bit of a contentious issue. Coconut oil is composed of approximately 2/3 Medium Chain Triglycerides. There have been some studies that show that MCTs can help in fat burning:

    http://www.nature.com/ijo/journal/v27/n12/full/0802467a.html
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/with_user/34978013
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18296368
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11880549

    But, at the end of the day, it has an extremely high saturated fat content. In this day and age, even with the reduction of the "fat-phobia" craze, the jury still seems to be out on the effects of eating a lot of saturated fats. Personally, I use Coconut oil on those rare occassions that I pan-fry something, but since my diet does not include a lot of the other sources of saturated fats that most peoples do, I don't really worry about it to much.

    A word of warning, however, because of how MCTs are absorbed by the body, if you are pre or full blown diabetic - definitely check with your physician first.
  • Roxyann
    Roxyann Posts: 35
    Check out DR. Oz's webpage. They did a show about it a wek ago. I use it on my hair never real tried eatting it. I do use coconut milk in my smoothies.
  • lsjd2000
    lsjd2000 Posts: 287 Member
    There is a great book call Eat Fat Lose Fat and it tells you about coconut oil and its benefits.
    http://www.eatfatlosefat.com/
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    There is a great book call Eat Fat Lose Fat and it tells you about coconut oil and its benefits.
    http://www.eatfatlosefat.com/

    Disregard anything that DR Oz has to say. He's simply ridiculous.
  • pamwhite712
    pamwhite712 Posts: 193 Member
    Thanks to all who replied with the helpful info. For now I think I'll use it on my body. If I make a cake in the near future I might use it in that as well.
  • raiderrodney
    raiderrodney Posts: 617 Member
    No clue about the benefits of increasing your metabolism but I use it occasionally in my morning coffee. Something else to consider is having a little Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar daily.
  • medaglia_06
    medaglia_06 Posts: 282 Member
    I use it for everything! My nutritionist says that if you wouldn't eat it, then don't put it on your skin since you absorb everything. So I use this as a lotion. I also use it for cooking (I have two separate bottles, one for body, one for cooking). Almost anywhere I would use butter, I use coconut oil instead. Much healthier.

    It is also good on exema (Sp?) and many rashes :)
  • Yes I have, also saw Dr. Oz talk about it on his show also. I have been using for about a month, not sure if it has helped, but does cook well, gonna stay with it a while.
  • bi0nicw0man
    bi0nicw0man Posts: 56 Member
    No clue about the benefits of increasing your metabolism but I use it occasionally in my morning coffee. Something else to consider is having a little Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar daily.

    You put coconut OIL in your coffee?
  • raiderrodney
    raiderrodney Posts: 617 Member
    No clue about the benefits of increasing your metabolism but I use it occasionally in my morning coffee. Something else to consider is having a little Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar daily.

    You put coconut OIL in your coffee?

    Sure do, try it ;)
  • CaRaMelKiSSes514
    CaRaMelKiSSes514 Posts: 21 Member
    No clue about the benefits of increasing your metabolism but I use it occasionally in my morning coffee. Something else to consider is having a little Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar daily.

    What are the benefits of the apple cider vinegar!!?
  • absoluttif1
    absoluttif1 Posts: 19 Member
    I use it for everything! My nutritionist says that if you wouldn't eat it, then don't put it on your skin since you absorb everything. So I use this as a lotion. I also use it for cooking (I have two separate bottles, one for body, one for cooking). Almost anywhere I would use butter, I use coconut oil instead. Much healthier.

    It is also good on exema (Sp?) and many rashes :)

    I saw someone on GMA the other day talking about using it as a moisturizer for your face! I'm scared to try it, though. I'm afraid it will make me break out.
  • zeta30
    zeta30 Posts: 40
    My wife consumes 2tbs/day. One with breakfast and the other with dinner. She was having some joint pain in one of her fingers and one of her hips prior to this and those issues have gone away.

    Just Google coconut oil and you will find tons of info.
  • raiderrodney
    raiderrodney Posts: 617 Member
    No clue about the benefits of increasing your metabolism but I use it occasionally in my morning coffee. Something else to consider is having a little Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar daily.

    What are the benefits of the apple cider vinegar!!?

    Plenty of reasons and I just like the taste in my water at lunch :)

    http://www.webmd.com/diet/apple-cider-vinegar?page=2
  • PhearlessPhreaks
    PhearlessPhreaks Posts: 890 Member
    Idk if someone has already mentioned this, but, I LOVE making coconut-balsamic vinaigrette. All i do is replace regular oil with coconut oil (it has to be warm, like 75+ degrees or it will solidify, but it's interesting having a warm dressing!) use the same amount of water and balsamic vinegar, and spices (like a good seasons packet). The coconut oil, although not sweet itself, brings out the sweetness in the balsamic vinegar, and it's delicious!
  • meggwyn
    meggwyn Posts: 226 Member
    There is a great book call Eat Fat Lose Fat and it tells you about coconut oil and its benefits.
    http://www.eatfatlosefat.com/

    Disregard anything that DR Oz has to say. He's simply ridiculous.

    YES! I totally agree. I use coconut oil for everything.
  • pamwhite712
    pamwhite712 Posts: 193 Member
    I bought it for body use because a friend of mine who lives in Trinidad raves about it for her hair and skin. It's only when I googled it that the nutritional claims popped up. I don't watch Dr. Oz so I don't know what Dr. Duck had to say about it.
  • My Dr has approved a tbsp a day for me, for my skin and for cooking. However, I do not use aresol cooking sprays/butter. I've seen great results!!
  • Artemis_Acorn
    Artemis_Acorn Posts: 836 Member
    I substituted Coconut oil for the vegetable oil in some Brownies I took to a potluck at Christmas. People went crazy over them but couldn't quite figure out what it was in them that was so wonderful. I could smell the coconut and thought that that wonderful fragrant aroma would give it away, but nope - many asked for the recipe (they were from a mix). The Polynesians at the party were particular fans.
  • daxazo
    daxazo Posts: 37 Member
    I have a teaspoon of organic coconut oil in my coffee every day :)
  • raiderrodney
    raiderrodney Posts: 617 Member
    I have a teaspoon of organic coconut oil in my coffee every day :)

    Thank you, it's good isn't it :)
  • HIITMe
    HIITMe Posts: 921 Member
    by all means, make sure you are consuming ( and using on your skin) EXTRA VIRGIN COCONUT OIL.... not "natural" or "pure" but EXTRA VIRGIN
  • I've replaced my regular moisturiser with coconut oil and will never go back...my previously dry, flaky skin is now baby soft and smooth and I have a more even complexion. I use it occasionally on my hair too, but I have very fine hair and it takes a lot of washing out else it leaves it quite greasy looking. I've never eaten it, but my step dad does regularly.
  • pamperedhen
    pamperedhen Posts: 446 Member
    I use coconut oil on my skin {face}, my curly hair, body, my homemade soaps & deodorant, and food! I LOVE IT!:drinker:
  • FitNB
    FitNB Posts: 16
    http://www.theiflife.com/2-meal-coconut-oil-coffee/

    Not endorsing, just some interesting reading.
  • lsjd2000
    lsjd2000 Posts: 287 Member
    I didn't see it on Dr Oz, I was shown the book by a friend - the recipies are good and if you do the smoothie recipie it tastes great - I use coconut oil in place of regular oil when cooking - cakes turn out alot moister and even when grilling or frying chicken the meat isn't full of oil when you fry with a coconut oil in the pan.
    coconut oil is a triple chain fatty acid so it is broken down more readily for energy .

    The mostly used polyunsaturated oils such as soybean, corn, grapeseed, cottonseed, safflower, etc, are the least healthy for cooking or baking.

    heres a website with some more information including peer reviewed research
    http://coconutoil.com/peer_reviewed/
  • pamwhite712
    pamwhite712 Posts: 193 Member
    I have a teaspoon of organic coconut oil in my coffee every day :)

    Thank you, it's good isn't it :)

    I drink two cups of coffee a day. I am going to try this!
  • pamwhite712
    pamwhite712 Posts: 193 Member
    I didn't see it on Dr Oz, I was shown the book by a friend - the recipies are good and if you do the smoothie recipie it tastes great - I use coconut oil in place of regular oil when cooking - cakes turn out alot moister and even when grilling or frying chicken the meat isn't full of oil when you fry with a coconut oil in the pan.
    coconut oil is a triple chain fatty acid so it is broken down more readily for energy .

    The mostly used polyunsaturated oils such as soybean, corn, grapeseed, cottonseed, safflower, etc, are the least healthy for cooking or baking.

    heres a website with some more information including peer reviewed research
    http://coconutoil.com/peer_reviewed/

    Thanks!
  • shell019
    shell019 Posts: 2 Member
    I use coconut oil on my face and its awesome! My face feels so soft and no breakouts! My skin has never looked better ;) I would ad I typically break out really easy.