Organic Refined Extra Virgin Coconut Oil And Weight Loss

Ever since the government changed its stance on dietary recommendations in the 1970s, saturated fats have suffered from a bad reputation as an unhealthy choice. Despite this, coconut oil stakes a strong claim as one of the healthiest oils available and one that can help the weight loss process, but people interested in using the oil have several choices to make before doing so.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil offers a significantly different nutritional profile from the oil found in other plants. Found growing across many tropical locations across the globe, the coconut contains oil with a very high percentage of saturated fats, but researchers from the Weston A. Price Foundation point out that the polyphenol content can help improve cardiovascular health and that the medium chain fatty acids in the oil can increase metabolism and help clear fungal infections. While polyphenols exist in a range of foods, coconut oil stands out as the only concentrated source of medium chain fats.

Medium Chain Fats

Around three-quarters of the coconut oil comes in the form of medium chain fatty acids. Dr. Bruce Fife, a physician and the author of "The Coconut Oil Miracle," notes how these natural compounds kill off yeast organisms by damaging their cell membranes; this mechanism provides a powerful anti-fungal effect without triggering resistance. They also can increase the rate of fat-burning in the body because of the way they oxidize so easily at the liver. Dr. Fife points out that this can increase overall energy expenditure and improve the rate of weight loss.

Refined Oils

Much of the coconut oil used in the food industry has undergone some level of refining. Tropical Traditions explain how many farmers leave the copra, or dried coconut meat, in unsanitary conditions before it arrives at a factory. Because of this, the producers bleach and deodorize the oil. Such processes damage the polyphenol content and remove the flavor, although the content of medium chain fatty acids remains unchanged.

Virgin Oils

Virgin oils have not been subjected to any chemical treatment. Although no industry guidelines yet exist, Tropical Traditions defines virgin coconut oil as that which producers press direct from the coconut meat without the use of chemicals. Although slightly more expensive, this method retains all of the beneficial polyphenols and the pleasant coconut aroma.

Organic

The organic label refers more to the ground on which the coconut was grown rather than the way the manufacturer removes the oil. To gain organic certification, the ground must be confirmed as free of all artificial pesticides and fertilizers. As a result, food might contain fewer man-made chemicals, although this process has no effect on the content of either the polyphenols, medium chain fatty acids or the flavor of the final product.