Coconut oil

Has anyone tried Coconut oil to help with their weight loss? I have talked to a few people/ Customers (I'm a waitress) and they have suggested it and have told me some surprising weight loss stories. Thoughts, advice, suggestions are all welcome

I cook with it all the time, love it.

I've even been known to chug a tablespoonful when in need of some fatty calories/energy.

It is also useful as a topical moisturiser (it certainly helped me with a dry skin issue I had) and is traditionally used by Indians for hair care (which I cannot attest to ).

It's mostly saturated fat which is what freaks some people out due to our unfounded nutritional paranoia regarding all things that are made of fat.

But, the fat is mainly medium chain triglycerides, see the explaination below as to why this is a good thing.

The executive summary being ... If you like the taste then enjoy

The usual misguided advice from the 'experts' (from Wiki)

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The United States Food and Drug Administration,[2] World Health Organization,[3] International College of Nutrition,[4] the United States Department of Health and Human Services,[5] American Dietetic Association,[6] American Heart Association,[7] British National Health Service,[8] and Dietitians of Canada[6] recommend against the consumption of significant amounts of coconut oil due to its high levels of saturated fat. Advocacy against coconut and palm oils in the 1970s and 80s due to their perceived danger as a saturated fat caused companies to instead substitute trans fats, unaware of their health-damaging effects.[26]

Hey, they were wrong, it's good for you (from Wiki)

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Coconut oil contains a large proportion of lauric acid, a saturated fat that raises blood cholesterol levels by increasing the amount of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol[27] that is also found in significant amounts in laurel oil, palm kernel oil (not to be confused with palm oil), human and animal breast milk and sebaceous gland secretions.[28][29] This may create a more favourable blood cholesterol profile, though it is unclear if coconut oil may promote atherosclerosis through other pathways.[27] Because much of the saturated fat of coconut oil is in the form of lauric acid, coconut oil may be a better alternative to partially hydrogenated vegetable oil when solid fats are required.[30] In addition, virgin coconut oil is composed mainly of MEDIUM-CHAIN TRIGLYCERIDES,[31] which may not carry the same risks as other saturated fats.[30][32] Early studies on the health effects of coconut oil used partially hydrogenated coconut oil, which creates trans fats, and not virgin coconut oil, which has a different health risk profile.[33]

Medium Chain Triglycerides (from Wiki)

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Some studies have shown that MCTs can help in the process of excess calorie burning, and thus weight loss.[2][3][4][5][6][7] MCTs are also seen as promoting fat oxidation and reduced food intake.[8] Mary G. Enig reviewed in detail the medical factors and health benefits of medium-chain triglycerides.[9] There has also been interest in MCTs from endurance athletes and the bodybuilding community.[10] While there seem to be health benefits from MCTs, a link to improved exercise performance is weak.[8]