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Healthy Home Economist / Archives / Healthy Fats / Coconut Oil Capsules: As Beneficial as Straight Off the Spoon?

Coconut Oil Capsules: As Beneficial as Straight Off the Spoon?

by Sarah Pope / Affiliate Links ✔

Table of Contents[Hide][Show]
  • Benefits of Coconut Oil Capsules+−
    • Travel
    • Incremental Dosage
  • The Downside of Coconut Oil Capsules+−
    • How Much Liquid Coconut Oil to Take
    • Coconut Oil Capsules Equivalent
  • Coconut Oil Capsules Are Impractical+−
    • Skip the MCT Oil Capsules Too
  • Coconut Oil Capsules Seem Like a Great Idea, But ...

Coconut oil capsules are a very popular substitute for consuming this healthy fat off the spoon or mixed into a beverage or food. Is this approach as beneficial or effective?coconut oil capsules in a dish next to virgin coconut oil on a spoon

The alternative health community has really gotten turned on to coconut oil in recent years. Back in 2011, I wrote about the trend on how to use coconut oil for weight loss. The protocol included how much to take daily based on body weight to achieve the desired health results.

At that time, coconut oil capsules weren’t yet widely available and so taking it off the spoon or blending into a hot beverage was the usual approach if you wanted to consume larger amounts for appetite suppression, weight loss/maintenance or other beneficial uses such as brain health.

Since that time, coconut oil in capsules of various sizes seem to be everywhere. I’ve recently received a number of questions about whether they work as well as straight coconut oil to support weight loss efforts or just to enjoy the many healthy fat benefits of this amazing traditional food.

The answer to this question is both yes and no. Let’s examine both the pros and cons of consuming one of Nature’s healthiest fats in capsule form instead of off the spoon or mixed with a beverage or food.

Benefits of Coconut Oil Capsules

One of the most confusing things about coconut oil is how it switches from solid to liquid depending on the temperature. This alarms some folks into thinking that the oil has somehow gone rancid and shouldn’t be consumed. The truth is that coconut oil is naturally liquid at temperatures over 76°F/ 24°C.  Conversely, coconut oil will go from liquid back to solid at temperatures below 76°F/ 24°C.

This switching back and forth from solid to liquid and then back again does not harm coconut oil. In fact, this tropical fat is highly resistant to rancidity perhaps more so than any other fat on the planet. As an example, I keep a 5-gallon bucket of coconut oil in my garage which regularly gets over 100°F/ 28°C during the summer and sometimes below freezing in the winter. It keeps perfectly for the 18 months or so until I use it up.

All of this confusion ends when using coconut oil capsules. Whether the coconut oil is liquid or solid within the capsules is usually not even noticed by the person taking them. In addition, the expiration date on the bottle provides a certain level of assurance that the product is safe. The unfounded concerns about whether the coconut oil is fresh or better to take as a solid or liquid become immaterial.

Travel

Another benefit of coconut oil capsules is that they are really convenient and helpful for traveling. Oil of any sort in a jar or bottle seems to have a way of leaking out in hand luggage or your checked suitcase. Stained clothes and a big mess is the risk. No matter how tightly you screw on that lid, some always seems to leak out! Traveling with capsules instead of the bulk liquid eliminates this problem. Another option is to double bag oil-filled containers in heavy-duty ziplock bags.

Incremental Dosage

Perhaps the best use for coconut oil capsules is that they conveniently allow for smaller dosages that can be incrementally increased over time. This is particularly helpful for those who find when starting out that taking coconut oil causes gastric distress or diarrhea. These symptoms tend to occur more often for those who have been following a lowfat diet for a long time or who have gut imbalance.

Coconut oil is highly anti-microbial, with the die-off of pathogens from the sudden adoption of daily coconut oil consumption very possible. A myriad of unpleasant detox symptoms (diarrhea is very common) can occur for a short period of time. Consuming coconut oil or using it on the skin may even cause breakouts in some people. This is because it is quite comedogenic.

If nausea or other gastric distress still occurs even with small doses of coconut oil via capsules, using herbal bitters can help. This is an inexpensive traditional remedy to further support digestion. Using it until the metabolism adjusts and improved gut balance is achieved is a good idea.

The Downside of Coconut Oil Capsules

Coconut oil capsules come in various sizes. The most common size I have seen is 1000 mg (1 gram). A few of these capsules each day works fine if you simply want to add some healthy fat to your diet in small amounts. However, if you want to take larger amounts for weight loss, the coconut oil capsules route doesn’t work so well.

For example, using coconut oil for weight loss involves consuming fairly significant amounts approximately 20 minutes before each meal. Prior to eating is the best time to consume it (virgin or expeller pressed as desired). The effect is a significant reduction in appetite to help you to feel full more quickly. This allows you to be satisfied with smaller portion sizes.

How Much Liquid Coconut Oil to Take

Blending 1-2 tablespoons of coconut oil in a mug with hot water, bone broth, or herbal tea is suggested. Bulletproof coffee is not advised. Stir to melt and then drink. The following guidelines outlined by the book Eat Fat, Lose Fat determine how much to consume before each meal:

  • 90-130 lbs, use 1 TBL coconut oil before each meal for a total of 3 TBL per day.
  • 131-180 lbs, use 1.5 TBL coconut oil before each meal for a total of 4.5 TBL per day.
  • Over 180 lbs, use 2 TBL coconut oil before each meal for a total of 6 TBL per day.

Coconut Oil Capsules Equivalent

Calculating the amount of coconut oil needed for weight loss into the capsules equivalent is staggering. The amounts are summarized below (I used this conversion calculator):

  • 90-130 lbs, use 15 coconut oil capsules (1000 mg/1 gram each) before each meal for a total of 45 capsules per day.
  • 131-180 lbs, use 22 capsules of coconut oil before each meal for a total of 66 coconut oil capsules per day.
  • Over 180 lbs, use 30 capsules of coconut oil before each meal for a total of  90 coconut oil capsules per day.

Coconut Oil Capsules Are Impractical

It’s obvious when you sit down and do the math that using coconut oil capsules for weight loss is impractical. This is due to the huge number of capsules that are required each day. Even a person who weighs 130 pounds or less would take over 3 dozen per day.

It is unrealistic to consider taking 45+ capsules of coconut oil every day for weeks on end while weight loss goals are pursued.  It would get rather expensive too! Most of the brands of coconut capsules I checked cost about $10 for 120 capsules. Nearly an entire bottle would be used every other day. Compare this to purchasing a quart of virgin coconut oil for not much more that would last about two weeks. Buying coconut oil in larger amounts would prove even more cost-effective compared with capsules.

Skip the MCT Oil Capsules Too

When considering a quality coconut oil for health or weight loss, don’t be fooled by the clever marketing behind liquid coconut oil. The fitness community calls it MCT oil. This oil is best avoided in all forms including capsules. Why? It is an adulterated product, a factory fat if you will.

Outrageously, the most beneficial fat in coconut oil – lauric acid – is either partially or completely removed to make refined MCT oil. Not surprisingly, the lauric acid is then sold off to the cosmetics industry for a higher price than could be obtained selling whole coconut oil to the public.

Coconut Oil Capsules Seem Like a Great Idea, But …

In summary, while the idea of coconut oil capsules seems like a good one, it is impractical. A huge number of capsules would be necessary to achieve a therapeutic dose.

Practically speaking, coconut oil capsules would only be helpful in two situations. First, when traveling, and second, for gradually building up the dosage to a point where the body’s metabolism and detoxification mechanisms can handle it.

At that point, switching to coconut oil off the spoon or blended into a smoothie or hot beverage would be the most appropriate method for consumption. Remember, therapeutic weight loss dosages of 3-6 tablespoons per day is what is necessary to achieve results.

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Category: Healthy Fats, Weight Loss
Sarah Pope

Sarah Pope MGA has been a Health and Nutrition Educator since 2002. She is a summa cum laude graduate in Economics from Furman University and holds a Master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania.

She is the author of three books: the bestseller Get Your Fats Straight, Traditional Remedies for Modern Families, and Living Green in an Artificial World.

Her four eBooks Good Diet…Bad Diet, Real Food Fermentation, Ketonomics, and Ancestrally Inspired Dairy-Free Recipes are available for complimentary download via Healthy Home Plus.

Her mission is dedicated to helping families effectively incorporate the principles of ancestral diets within the modern household. She is a sought after lecturer around the world for conferences, summits, and podcasts.

Sarah was awarded Activist of the Year in 2010 at the International Wise Traditions Conference, subsequently serving on the Board of Directors of the nutrition nonprofit the Weston A. Price Foundation for seven years.

Her work has been covered by numerous independent and major media including USA Today, ABC, and NBC among many others.

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Reader Interactions

Comments (56)

  1. Judy Heddy

    Nov 28, 2020 at 10:00 am

    What is your opinion of refined vs unrefined & cold pressed vs expeller pressed?

    Reply
    • Sarah Pope MGA

      Nov 28, 2020 at 11:40 am

      I explain the differences here: https://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/coconut-oil-varieties-uses/

  2. kg to lbs

    Feb 17, 2020 at 5:10 am

    There are so many different brands of coconut oil available. Does it matter what brand you buy. Other than being extra Virginia and organic? It’s confusing when you see all these different brands on store shelves with different prices.

    Reply
    • Sarah Pope MGA

      Feb 17, 2020 at 8:07 am

      I think it does matter as some cheaper brands may be mixed with other oils, old, improperly filtered and/or hydrogenated. I recommend the brands linked to in the article which have been vetted for quality.

      For example, I would never buy anything coconut oil related from Costco or Walmart. https://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/why-buying-coconut-oil-at-costco-is-risky-business/

  3. Angela Russell

    Feb 23, 2019 at 11:00 am

    What kind of coconut oil do you recommend that has all 3 c6 c10 and I think it’s c8 when I shop it’s all so confusing and the coconut oil on the pharmacy side is way more expensive than the grocery side please help

    Reply
    • Sarah Pope MGA

      Feb 23, 2019 at 11:44 am

      Coconut oil from the pharmacy isn’t any different than from the grocery. This brand is top quality. https://www.radiantlifecatalog.com/product/radiant-life-virgin-coconut-oil/coconut-products/?a=58537

  4. Cindy

    Aug 5, 2018 at 10:10 pm

    What is the total daily dose of capsules to fight dementia.coconut oil and MCT

    Reply
    • Sarah

      Aug 5, 2018 at 10:17 pm

      Here is an article on that. https://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/virgin-coconut-oil-halts-severe-dementia-in-35-days/

  5. Jan Rael

    Feb 6, 2018 at 12:27 am

    The first time I tried MCT oil it worked ok but then I started getting bad stomach aches and diarrhea. What do you think happened to my system?

    Reply
    • Sarah

      Feb 6, 2018 at 8:57 am

      MCT oil is a fake fat found nowhere in nature. You need a factory to make it. I would take this as your body’s cue to stop using it!

  6. Vera Martin

    Jan 31, 2018 at 2:03 am

    I purchased the capsules for my grandmother to slow the progression of dementia. Should I switch to the spoon version instead.

    Reply
    • Sarah

      Jan 31, 2018 at 11:00 am

      I don’t think a therapeutic dose can be easily achieved with capsules. Just too many to take each day.

  7. Kitti

    Jan 17, 2018 at 4:08 pm

    Hi, thanks for the informative article! It really helped me decide whether I should take coconut oil pills.
    One thing though: I don’t know if anyone pointed it out yet, but 100 Fahrenheit is not 27 Celsius. It’s actually over 37. Thought I let you know. It might be a typo.

    Reply
    • Sarah

      Jan 17, 2018 at 4:27 pm

      Yes, it’s a typo. Thanks for catching that! Will fix it now 🙂

  8. Sean Nolan

    Oct 1, 2017 at 4:00 pm

    Hi my name isSean I would like to try some of the soft gels

    Reply
  9. Sandra

    Sep 26, 2017 at 6:02 pm

    Can you put coconut oil in salads or food

    Reply
    • Sarah

      Sep 27, 2017 at 8:51 am

      Yes absolutely! There are many recipes on this blog using coconut oil.

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