Health Article
Coconut Oil as an Aid to Weight Loss
Coconut Oil is an extremely healthy food that has been shown to increase metabolism and assist in burning unwanted fat off your body. It is a wonder food that has been around for centuries and a great addition to any fat burning meal plan.
Because Saturated Fats get a really bad rap, many people believe that coconut oil is “fattening” or “dangerous”. We have all been falsely led to believe that fat, especially saturated fat, is the cause of our weight gain and health problems. This is only half of the truth. Some fats, like hydrogenated oils and vegetable oils, do contribute to heart disease and weight gain. However, good fats like coconut oil, butter and olive oil are actually great fats for our bodies. Think about how much healthier people were in the late 1800’s and very early 1900’s. Heart disease was almost unheard of back then.
Here are some of the common myths about coconut oil:
- Coconut Oil contains a lot of fat so it must be fattening. Not all fat makes you fat. Some fats do cause weight gain but other good fats will actually burn unwanted fat off your body and accelerate your metabolism.
- Coconut Oil contains almost all saturated fat so it must be bad for you. Saturated Fat is not the cause of heart disease, weight gain and high cholesterol. Sugar is actualy the major culprit.
- Coconut Oil should be avoided by those who are at risk for heart disease. Factually, the fat in coconut oil is one of the healthiest oils you can consume, even for those with heart disease. It is rich in lauric acid, which is known for its antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties and contains no trans fat. The saturated fat in coconut oil is different than many other oils in that it is of the medium-chain fatty acid (MCFA) variety. The body digests MCFAs more easily and sends these fats directly to the liver where they are immediately converted into energy.
Therefore it is highly recommended that you use unrefined, organic coconut oil for all of your cooking needs. 1 – 2 tsps for most cooking is more than enough. It can eve nbe eaten raw and has qute a pleasant taste. Two ro three teaspoons a day is a perfect amount for a fat burning eating plan. Any more than that is overdoing it.
For a good source of Coconut Oil at a reasonable price, visit www.thexton.com.au. They have a brand "Fijian Gold" which is an unrefined virgin organic coconut oil.
Be aware that coconut oil at room temperature can solidify into a white mass. This is normal but may seem odd when you purchase this substance. The best solution is to place the bottle in some hot water (not too hot) and it will liquify into a clear liquid. Pour some into a wide-mouthed jar so that you can easily scoop some out with a spoon once it solidifies again.