Oil pulling extra calories?

RckyMtnGirl
RckyMtnGirl Posts: 12 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Does anyone else on here practice oil pulling? I use coconut oil for about 10 min a day just to help with oral hygiene but I’ve always wondered if any calories are being ingested. Obviously I spit it out but I thought perhaps some were maybe being absorbed, just wondering if anyone knows?

Replies

  • HellYeahItsKriss
    HellYeahItsKriss Posts: 906 Member
    edited December 2017
    uhm.. how much oil are you putting in your mouth...? and the small drips you would ingest.. who cares? its not probably enough calories for it to matter, like diet soda.. or splenda
  • Catawampous
    Catawampous Posts: 447 Member
    Say what? What is oil pulling? Ok nevermind. Google is my friend.
  • RckyMtnGirl
    RckyMtnGirl Posts: 12 Member
    Ok gotcha, I tried looking it up online but couldn’t find any info.
    @Catawampous: It has a lot of different uses, I’m allergic to an ingredient sometimes used in mouthwash so I use it as a teeth whitener. No scientific proof it really works but it makes my mouth feel a lot cleaner so I like it
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,204 Member
    Negligible. Do the pulling, avoid swallowing, rinse with (tolerably) hot water after, don't worry about it.

    I tried it for quite a while (I'm experimental like that), saw no benefit, stopped. I think religious brushing & flossing are enough.

    Regardless, if you follow my paragraph 1, I think there are no calories to log.
  • RckyMtnGirl
    RckyMtnGirl Posts: 12 Member
    @orphia hahaha, it is amazing. I’m just trying it as a cheaper alternative to mouthwash, like I said not even sure if it’s doing anything, just thought it was worth a try. I can guarantee it works as an awesome hair mask though.
  • Orphia
    Orphia Posts: 7,097 Member
    I used to use it as a hair oil / anti-frizz product 25 years ago, but I got so sick of the smell I still can't stand the stuff now. :smile:
  • MelanieCN77
    MelanieCN77 Posts: 4,047 Member
    Orphia wrote: »
    I used to use it as a hair oil / anti-frizz product 25 years ago, but I got so sick of the smell I still can't stand the stuff now. :smile:

    It always smells vaguely off when it's on my hair, even though it doesn't in the pot. It smells like something that is overdue for a wash.
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,416 Member
    MelanieCN77 wrote: »
    Orphia wrote: »
    I used to use it as a hair oil / anti-frizz product 25 years ago, but I got so sick of the smell I still can't stand the stuff now. :smile:

    It always smells vaguely off when it's on my hair, even though it doesn't in the pot. It smells like something that is overdue for a wash.

    Just put it on the ends! Not all over.

    The whole oil pulling thing...:noway: :sick:
  • MelanieCN77
    MelanieCN77 Posts: 4,047 Member
    Yeah just on the ends. Smells weird af.
  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
    Do you guys melt the coconut oil before putting it on your hair, or scoop it straight out of the jar?
  • HellYeahItsKriss
    HellYeahItsKriss Posts: 906 Member
    I've yet to find a useful purpose for coconut oil lol I even tried using it to help with dry skin. Nope lol
  • Hooliekom
    Hooliekom Posts: 94 Member
    RckyMtnGirl wrote: »
    hahaha, it is amazing. I’m just trying it as a cheaper alternative to mouthwash

    Where is it you live that coconut oil is cheaper than mouthwash? :o

  • RckyMtnGirl
    RckyMtnGirl Posts: 12 Member
    I’m allergic to chlorhexitine (which isn’t always labeled) so cheaper than almost all alternatives. Also I live in Colorado.
  • LivingtheLeanDream
    LivingtheLeanDream Posts: 13,342 Member
    What the heck?? sounds like something that Pinterest would suggest and also sounds bs
  • newheavensearth
    newheavensearth Posts: 870 Member
    edited December 2017
    Christine_72 wrote: »
    Do you guys melt the coconut oil before putting it on your hair, or scoop it straight out of the jar?

    I put mine straight on my hair from root to tip. Body heat melts it. I also mix it with leave in conditioner. I don't notice an odor.
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,416 Member
    Christine_72 wrote: »
    Do you guys melt the coconut oil before putting it on your hair, or scoop it straight out of the jar?

    Well, my hair is nearly waist length and curly/fine. I just put it on the ends, so I take a drop ( or about the size of a pencil eraser) and rub it around in my hands, then comb the last three/four inches of my hair with my fingers. It's too oily to use more than that - for me.
  • MelanieCN77
    MelanieCN77 Posts: 4,047 Member
    Christine_72 wrote: »
    Do you guys melt the coconut oil before putting it on your hair, or scoop it straight out of the jar?

    Straight from the jar and it melts from the warmth of my hands.
  • abitofbliss
    abitofbliss Posts: 198 Member
    To the OP - How long have you been pulling for? Personally, I have been pulling about 4 - 5x a week for almost 12 weeks - I do not log the calories from the oil and don't see a lot of issues unless you are consuming like a TBLSP or something.

    I'm asking how long you have been pulling because I am experience some serious issues with my hair. I was swimming a lot in Sept - Nov in an over chlorinated pool that bleached my bathing suit and basically my hair. The damage has been so bad that even after multiple conditioning treatments and 2 haircuts my hair is just completely wrecked.

    I am beginning to wonder if it's not damaged from the pool and I just pull oil too much?? Do you experience any changes or benefits from pulling?
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,204 Member
    abitofbliss wrote: »
    To the OP - How long have you been pulling for? Personally, I have been pulling about 4 - 5x a week for almost 12 weeks - I do not log the calories from the oil and don't see a lot of issues unless you are consuming like a TBLSP or something.

    I'm asking how long you have been pulling because I am experience some serious issues with my hair. I was swimming a lot in Sept - Nov in an over chlorinated pool that bleached my bathing suit and basically my hair. The damage has been so bad that even after multiple conditioning treatments and 2 haircuts my hair is just completely wrecked.

    I am beginning to wonder if it's not damaged from the pool and I just pull oil too much?? Do you experience any changes or benefits from pulling?

    I did it daily for at least a couple of months, probably longer (it's been a while). I didn't do anything to my hair. As far as I could tell, it did nothing to anything. Zip. Zero. Nada. Well, other than make me go through multiple expensive jars of coconut oil very quickly.

    Clearly, you suspect the chlorine. That seems rational. How is your nutrition? (I'm asking because of wondering whether you might have a high calorie deficit, be short on protein or fats, or light on micronutrients that good hair needs, exacerbating the chlorine issue by making quality of new growth less satisfactory.) And how's your stress level, including things like getting enough sleep, overexercising, etc.?

    Lots of things affect hair. Most of them are more probable explanations than the oil-pulling.
  • abitofbliss
    abitofbliss Posts: 198 Member
    AnnPT77 wrote: »
    I did it daily for at least a couple of months, probably longer (it's been a while). I didn't do anything to my hair. As far as I could tell, it did nothing to anything. Zip. Zero. Nada. Well, other than make me go through multiple expensive jars of coconut oil very quickly.

    Clearly, you suspect the chlorine. That seems rational. How is your nutrition? (I'm asking because of wondering whether you might have a high calorie deficit, be short on protein or fats, or light on micronutrients that good hair needs, exacerbating the chlorine issue by making quality of new growth less satisfactory.) And how's your stress level, including things like getting enough sleep, overexercising, etc.?

    Lots of things affect hair. Most of them are more probable explanations than the oil-pulling.

    Thanks a bunch for your feedback... I've been convinced it was the chlorine but you may be right, that it could be something else that I am missing as the timing is all within this 3 month period. Especially considering I haven't been back to the pool for nearly a month.I am still going to take a break on the pulling here are other answers...

    My net calories range between 1000 - 1500. Protein averages about 150g, fat 75g carbs 200g. I have a desk job and I exercise almost everyday some way or another for 1-2 hours. Try to keep sugar low. I cut my alcohol way back, quit smoking cigs after 12 years - stress is managed, def get enough sleep. Overexercising is quite possible as I bike almost every morning but I realized I needed to eat more so I have been trying to adjust and get my net calories up. I am still in trial/error phase of my changes and things I like/don't like. I just wish it was easier to pinpoint the problem. I am 5'9, 28 year old female, 215lbs

  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,204 Member
    abitofbliss wrote: »
    AnnPT77 wrote: »
    I did it daily for at least a couple of months, probably longer (it's been a while). I didn't do anything to my hair. As far as I could tell, it did nothing to anything. Zip. Zero. Nada. Well, other than make me go through multiple expensive jars of coconut oil very quickly.

    Clearly, you suspect the chlorine. That seems rational. How is your nutrition? (I'm asking because of wondering whether you might have a high calorie deficit, be short on protein or fats, or light on micronutrients that good hair needs, exacerbating the chlorine issue by making quality of new growth less satisfactory.) And how's your stress level, including things like getting enough sleep, overexercising, etc.?

    Lots of things affect hair. Most of them are more probable explanations than the oil-pulling.

    Thanks a bunch for your feedback... I've been convinced it was the chlorine but you may be right, that it could be something else that I am missing as the timing is all within this 3 month period. Especially considering I haven't been back to the pool for nearly a month.I am still going to take a break on the pulling here are other answers...

    My net calories range between 1000 - 1500. Protein averages about 150g, fat 75g carbs 200g. I have a desk job and I exercise almost everyday some way or another for 1-2 hours. Try to keep sugar low. I cut my alcohol way back, quit smoking cigs after 12 years - stress is managed, def get enough sleep. Overexercising is quite possible as I bike almost every morning but I realized I needed to eat more so I have been trying to adjust and get my net calories up. I am still in trial/error phase of my changes and things I like/don't like. I just wish it was easier to pinpoint the problem. I am 5'9, 28 year old female, 215lbs

    Protein and fat seem reasonable.

    How fast are you losing weight? Your net calories sound pretty aggressive, but individuals differ. 'Eat more' seems worth trying.

    Apologies, OP - this is a thread hijack. Sorry.
  • abitofbliss
    abitofbliss Posts: 198 Member
    AnnPT77 wrote: »

    Protein and fat seem reasonable.

    How fast are you losing weight? Your net calories sound pretty aggressive, but individuals differ. 'Eat more' seems worth trying.

    Apologies, OP - this is a thread hijack. Sorry.

    Yes, sorry OP.

    I don't get on a scale often. I am really striving for sustainability. I didn't weigh when I started my journey and as long as I'm not hungry and I am fulfilling my macros I just 'let it be'. My last weight was 217 and I am planning to weigh after the new year.

  • Gamliela
    Gamliela Posts: 2,468 Member
    I used olive oil, evidently it has some anti inflamatory advantages. It did work, I had a sore place bothering me and I can't say for a fact, but it seemed some enamel grew back I had lost from doing a 'shudder' acv experiment.
    I also worried about the calories because I did nearly always swallow some. I probably used two teaspoons for swishing and maybe swallowed one quarter teaspoon. So 10 calories a day, to be on the safe side.
  • RckyMtnGirl
    RckyMtnGirl Posts: 12 Member
    Highjack away haha. Thanks Gamliela!

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