Your thyroid gland's proper functioning is essential to maintaining optimal health. A slow metabolism rate has been linked to hypothyroidism or underactive thyroid, a condition in which insufficient thyroid hormone is produced. Coconut oil is thought by some to stimulate the metabolism and help prevent hypothyroidism. However, more evidence is needed to support coconut oil in the treatment of thyroid gland problems. Consult your doctor before trying coconut oil to treat hypothyroidism.
Metabolism
The medium-chain fatty acids found in coconut oil accelerate metabolism and decrease the symptoms of hyperthyroidism, says naturopathic doctor Bruce Fife. Hypothyroidism may result in weight gain and energy loss and may make it difficult for cells to heal. Coconut oil speeds up the metabolism to burn fat and increase energy levels.
Coconut oil is nutritionally considered a solid fat, according to the United States Department of Agriculture. Solid fats like butter and coconut oil are high in saturated fats and contain few monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fats. Renowned nutritional counselor Ray Peat, Ph.D., states that unsaturated fats were known suppressants of metabolism as early as 1950.
Thyroid Functioning
Dr. Peat says using a saturated fat like coconut oil may facilitate thyroid functioning. Past studies show that unsaturated fats like those in vegetable oils may damage mitochondria, which create cell energy, according to Peat. The more unsaturated the oil is, the more likely it is to inhibit the hormone tissue reaction and transportation of thyroid hormone. Unlike the saturated fat in coconut oil, unsaturated fats suppress enzymes within the thyroid gland needed to produce the hormone. Coconut oil, believed to aid in the functioning of the thyroid gland, has not been sufficiently proven to treat any condition.
Disease Prevention
Coconut oil decreases your chances of getting a disease related to a slow metabolism, according to Dr. Bruce Fife. Increasing your metabolism lessens the chance of getting heart disease, becoming obese and developing osteoporosis, says Fife. Saturated fat, as in coconut oil, has been linked and continues to be linked with heart disease and other illnesses. However, some researchers have reported that it lowers cholesterol, says chemist and nutritionist, Lita Lee, Ph.D. While saturated fat is considered unhealthy by many, an observation of tropical climate populations suggests otherwise, reports Lee. These populations eat a diet rich in coconut oil and have less disease than those who consume unsaturated fats. They even have a somewhat higher-than-normal thyroid production levels due to the thyroid-stimulating effects of eating coconut oil, fish and fruit. While observations suggest a beneficial relationship between coconut oil and health, more research is needed to prove this correlation.
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