Coconut oil supplementation found to have benefits for health
The poor reputation that saturated fat has led many to avoid consuming not just animal foods such as red meat and cheese, but certain plant foods that are rich in this brand of fat, notably coconut. However, the fact that there is no evidence that saturated fat causes heart disease (see here), not that fat is inherently fattening means that I can see no particular reason for avoiding saturated fat rich food, whether animal or plant in origin.
Some have suggested that certain saturated fatty acids might have benefits for health. Coconut oil, for instance, is rich in what are known as medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs), which some work suggests might actually help to protect against fat accumulation in the body [1]. In a recent study, women were prescribed a lower-calorie diet (and 50 mins of walking a day) and in addition were supplemented with 30 mls of coconut oil each day for 12 weeks [2]. Another group of women were prescribed the same diet and exercise programme, but instead of being supplemented with coconut oil, were given soybean oil instead.
Both groups lost weight, but only the group taking the coconut oil saw a significant reduction in their waist circumference. This is significant, in that waist circumference is a measure of ‘abdominal obesity’ (the form of obesity most associated with chronic diseases such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes).
In addition, those on the coconut oil, compared to those taking the soybean oil, saw increase in levels of ‘healthy’ HDL cholesterol and lower LDL:HDL ratio, both of which are believed to be associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease.
The results of this study suggest that incorporation of coconut oil into the diet may be beneficial in terms of reduction of fatty accumulation around the midriff, and might also have benefits on the health of the cardiovascular system too.
References:
1. Takeuchi H, et al. The application of medium-chain fatty acids: edible oil with a suppressing effect on body fat accumulation. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2008;17 Suppl 1:320-3.
2. Assunção ML, et al. Effects of Dietary Coconut Oil on the Biochemical and Anthropometric Profiles of Women Presenting Abdominal Obesity. Lipids. 13 May 2009 [Epub ahead of print publication]
Published May 18, 2009 . Filed under: Exercise and Activity, Healthy Eating, Nutrients and Supplements, Weight Loss
Comments
Write Comment
Get Dr Briffa’s latest book – The True You Diet…
The True You Diet helps you discover and explore your own path to optimal wellbeing. Take a step in the right direction right now and receive the unabridged introduction to the book and a True You questionnaire – FREE! Visit TheTrueYouDiet.com for more info |
See
how the UK’s top nutrition doctor “Makes diets history”,
giving you the low-blurb, high-fact option for the diet and lifestyle
that’s right for YOU - based on your body’s unique and individual
needs.Dr Briffa's free weekly e-newsletter - "A Good Look at Good Health" - delivered straight to your inbox
Sign-up now and get Dr John Briffa's Natural Solutions to Common Ailments - an A-Z guide to over 150 symptoms and conditions absolutely free.
Every week, Dr John condenses some of the most interesting and relevant health news from around the world into our free weekly newsletter that will keep you up to date with some of the most pertinent health stories of the week - delivered straight to your inbox.
Our thank you present - when you sign up for the newsletter, you will also receive a free copy of Dr John Briffa's Natural Solutions to Common Ailments - an A-Z guide to over 150 symptoms and conditions.
A word about the adverts that appear on this site
The adverts on this site come via a service known as Google Adsense. Adverts deemed appropriate to the content on the site appear automatically, and are not selected or vetted by John Briffa or any of the team at drbriffa.com. The site does not endorse any of the adverts that appear on the site nor the products or services they promote.
I bet those folks eating coconut oil were happier too!
May 20, 2009 @ 3:30 am
[...] it quite a lot in cooking, its delicious and healthy, though of course in moderation. And, as this article from Dr Briffa shows, it has been found to help reduce abdominal obesity or fat around the [...]
May 20, 2009 @ 6:03 am
I’ve been a fan of creamed coconut for some while: it goes especially well in combination with hot chillies.
Recently decided to try the coconut oil and failed to find it. HINT: it is nearly solid at room temperature and comes in a JAR not a bottle (duh!)
Thanks to the ever reliable Mark Sisson for this
http://www.marksdailyapple.com/coconut-encrusted-chicken-salad-recipe/
which is quite outstanding. I’ve been tinkering further with the combination of coconut oil, coconut powder and ground almonds which also works well with prawns, and various hot spices. Suitably low carb, highly satiating and did I mention delicious?
May 21, 2009 @ 12:01 am
The comments about coconut oil are further endorsed at this website
http://www.tiana-coconut.com/coconut_weight_loss.htm
I was looking at this website in relation to my gluten free diet as coconut flour apparently makes quite a good substitute for ordinary flour in baking, though I think the proportions have to be different as explained further in the website.
Georgina
May 29, 2009 @ 1:40 am