How to use coconut oil for weight loss, why it’s appetite suppressing effects are so powerful, and how much to take per day for best results.
One key to successful and lasting weight loss is to ensure steady blood sugar so that any extreme ups and downs are avoided. Insulin spikes and crashes cause you to fall off the wagon and make a beeline for the junk food aisle at the supermarket or the jumbo bag of chips in your pantry.
How Coconut Oil Supports Weight Loss
How to best steady the blood sugar over long periods of time and between meals? The answer is regular consumption of healthy, satiating nourishing fats of course! Coconut oil for weight loss is the optimal fat to choose for this purpose. The best of the best in this category is organic virgin coconut oil.
The reasons coconut oil is so effective for losing weight, as well as ongoing weight maintenance, are many. First, the plethora of healthy medium-chain saturated fatty acids (MCT oils) boosts metabolism for immediate energy. Lauric acid is the most notable of these.
Some research suggests that it supports thyroid function as well. A strong thyroid is essential for achieving a healthy weight.
MCTs Don’t Store as Body Fat
As a bonus, the MCTs in coconut oil don’t end up as stored body fat like longer chain monounsaturated fatty acids sometimes can. Hence, beware of scams that promote industrialized oils like the CLA safflower oil diet for weight loss. More on that below.
Finally, coconut oil is highly anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-viral which discourages pathogens in the gut from usurping roles ideally performed by probiotics. Research has demonstrated that thin people tend to have a more diverse and beneficial intestinal microbiome than overweight and obese individuals. Hence, using coconut oil can help change that microbial balance for the better over the long term.
Countries that consume high amounts of coconut and coconut oil in their diets such as the Philippines, India, and the Pacific Islands have significantly fewer cases of heart disease and obesity. This strong anthropological evidence clearly disproves any agenda-driven smear campaign against this marvelously healthy oil! Sorry American Heart Association. You’ve totally missed the mark when it comes to coconut oil!
Supermodels are already onto the coconut oil for weight loss secret. Australian supermodel Miranda Kerr has been using coconut oil for years to maintain her enviable figure and won’t go anywhere without it!
Why Coconut Oil Helps You Shed Pounds BETTER than Olive Oil
Olive oil, in particular, should be limited or avoided entirely by those wishing to lose weight!
This is surprising to many people as olive oil is typically the first “healthy oil” that they think of due to the heavy promotion of this Mediterranean oil by conventional doctors and nutritionists.
In fact, a 1994 study published in The Lancet noted that the fatty acid most predominantly found in body fat was monounsaturated fat like that found in high amounts in olive oil!
Could this be why those in Mediterranean countries so often gain weight at middle age?
When choosing a fat to speed up weight loss then, it is best to limit the use of olive oil and other predominantly monounsaturated (omega-9) fats. Popular examples include peanut oil and avocado oil. Be sure to avoid canola oil too, which is usually GMO in addition to weight gain promoting.
Coconut oil for weight loss is the far better choice!
How to Use Coconut Oil to Drop Pounds Fast
Coconut oil naturally solidifies at 76 F/ 24 C so it is best to liquefy it in hot water before consuming as a weight loss aid. It is not to be confused with unrefined cocoa butter, another healthy fat that looks similar and is also solid at room temperature.
Twenty minutes before mealtime is the best time to take your coconut oil as it will significantly reduce appetite and help you to feel full more quickly and be satisfied with smaller portions.
To liquefy, mix 1-2 TBL of coconut oil in a mug and add hot water, bone broth or herbal tea (NOT bulletproof coffee!). Stir to melt and drink. Use the following guidelines to determine how much oil 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.
Alternatively, you can simply eat the coconut oil and let it liquify in your mouth for a few seconds before swallowing. If you are interested in taking coconut oil capsules instead of off the spoon oil for weight loss, the linked article details how many to take and how effective this approach is.
*If you find that the coconut oil makes you a bit queasy at first, try using herbal bitters (this brand is excellent) as an inexpensive remedy to help your liver and gall bladder adjust.
Gamma-Linolenic Acid Supercharges Effects
Be aware that gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) is another critical fat necessary for optimal and sustained weight loss. Be sure to include it along with your coconut oil weight loss efforts!
GLA facilitates the process of flushing fat by speeding metabolism like coconut oil. But, it does this in a very different way. GLA stimulates internal “brown fat”. This is the type of fat that is usually dormant in overweight people. Brown fat is also more prevalent in young people and women. As body mass index (BMI) decreases, metabolically active brown fat levels increase. Use your brown fat to your advantage ladies!
GLA is primarily found in organ meats. As a result, unless you eat liver or heart regularly, it is best to supplement with it. The good news is that you only need small amounts. Combined with daily doses of coconut oil, you will achieve the most effective weight loss results.
The best quality GLA supplement is black currant oil capsules. Black currant oil contains sufficient GLA levels. It is also better tolerated than borage oil and is not estrogenic like evening primrose oil. Finally, it has the best overall fatty acid profile of all GLA supplements.
Another idea for helping the weight loss along is to consider combining your coconut oil protocol with a bone broth fast a couple of days a week.
Best Coconut Oil to Get Leaner
Be aware that not all coconut oil is created equal for weight loss purposes!
While coconut oil is very resistant to heat damage, solvents are frequently used to extract it, so sourcing high-quality oil from a reputable company is of paramount importance to avoid any chemical residues.
Using only organic virgin coconut oil therapeutically for your weight loss efforts is a good idea as all the delicate micronutrients in the oil will be preserved and no chemicals will have been used in processing.
To check out coconut oil sources I trust and that have been vetted for quality, be sure to check out my healthy shopping list.
References
Eat Fat, Lose Fat
The Effect of Coconut Oil on Serum Cholesterol Levels and HDLs, by Dr. Mary Enig
More Information
The Harcombe Diet: Can Real Food Take Off Real Weight?
The Keto Diet
How to Implement High Fat Low Carb for Weight Loss
Dukan Diet
When Coconut Oil May Not Be Right for You
MCT Oil Warning
Coconut Oil at Costco
Asking questions are actually good thing if you are not understanding something entirely,
except this article presents good understanding even.
Any idea what the environmental, economic or social impact is of coconut oil harvesting? I read that Indonesian red palm harvesting is very damaging as compared to the African methods.
When ever I get hungry or get a craving – I take a dollop of coconut oil – and no more hunger!
Can I use it with caffeine free coffee?
Is it just as effextive if I put it with warm unsweetened applesauce? I don’t like it with coffee.
Probably fine.
Has anyone tried this? How much weight did you lose? thanks
ok, please someone explain : one tbsp = 120 calories, at my weight i should ingest 5.5 tbsp a day , thats an extra 600+ calories!! how does that help me loose weight??
You will be surprised at how it will suppress your hunger through out the day. I have come to the point of eating to survive versus eating for the hell of it. I’m forcing myself to eat.
Please let me know how much weight you have lose so far. Thank you
I have lost 28 pounds,I put it in my coffee
how long did it take you to lose 28lbs and how much are you using?
Susie, would you please tell me how do you take it. I want to lose 10 pounds. Advice me please.
Thank you in advance
Those 600 calories will convert into healthy fats, which is the prime source of burning unwanted or excess body fat.
Not all calories are created equal. So don’t be freaked out if 600 calories seems bad because it’s not. There’s a big difference between 600 calories of something healthy vs. something unhealthy (like coconut oil vs chips, cookies, etc.). Those calories from coconut oils convert to healthy fats and up your metabolism so you burn more vs. being stored like trans fats, etc. found in junk food that make you store/gain bad fats.
Calorie counting is not the only consideration when trying to lose weight. Calorie-dense foods are okay, because you’ll end up eating less, and they take longer to digest…hence making you feel full longer. To answer your question about the coconut oil, this is some good info from thecoconutmama.com:
1. Coconut Oil Increases Your Energy
Coconut_Oil_Coffee_RecipeAs I mentioned above, coconut oil gives you energy! How does this work? Well, coconut oil is made up of MCTs (Medium Chain Triglycerides). MCTs are more rapidly absorbed by the body and are quickly metabolized as fuel (not stored as fat).
2. Coconut Oil Speeds Up The Metabolism
When you eat MTCs (like in coconut oil) this results in accelerated metabolic conversion! That is, instead of being stored as fat, the calories contained in MCTs are very efficiently converted into fuel for immediate use by the body. According to this study, researchers assembled 40 female volunteers between the ages of 20 and 40 who suffered from abdominal obesity. Over a 12-week period, the women were given a daily dietary supplement comprising of 30 millimeters of either soybean oil or coconut oil. At the end of the 12-week study, the researchers found that the women who were given the coconut oil experienced a significant reduction in both BMI and waist circumference, as well as an increase in “good” HDL cholesterol. These results were not found in the group that was given soybean oil. “It appears that dietetic supplementation with coconut oil does not cause dyslipidemia and seems to promote a reduction in abdominal obesity,”.
3. Coconut Oil Boosts The Immune System
Almost 50% of the fatty acids in coconut oil is Lauric Acid (aka the super healthy fats found in human breast milk). Lauric acid is potent in antimicrobial properties. According to WebMD lauric acid is used for treating, “viral infections including influenza (the flu); swine flu; avian flu; the common cold; fever blisters, cold sores, and genital herpes caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV); genital warts caused by human papillomavirus (HPV); and HIV/AIDS. It is also used for preventing the transmission of HIV from mothers to children.”
hi thanks 4 sharing ur great idea…as I am new to this can u pls help me with the coconut oil product which can be
used….
Only virgen organic coconut oil you can find it in the oil isle in your super market!!!
What about “ORGANIC EXTRA VIRGIN COCONUT OIL”? Emphasis on the extra virgin. Is this not the right kind to consume? Does it really have to be “organic virgin coconut oil” only?
There is no such thing as extra virgin coconut oil. Only virgin coconut oil and refined (aka expeller pressed) coconut oil.
Hi Sarah, would I get the same results if I eat the coconut jelly from the coconut? Thank you .
You really need the straight oil to get the best results.
I thought the unrefined virgin coconut out was better than the refined?
Yes, this is true. But the refined is still awesome to use if the coconut flavor of the virgin bothers you.
Extra virgin coconut oil is the exact same thing as normal virgin coconut oil as i did my research on this it said that many years ago there was a mistake made by saying extra virgin it contains the same stuff as just normal virgin coconut oil
I purchased some Organic Coconut “Extra Virgin Oil” by better body foods and I am wondering if it is the same thing. it is 1.75 qt (56 fl) 1.6L. I is stamped with the USDA Organic symbol. Will this work?
Organic cold pressed virgin coconut oil is best look for the star ingredient such as lauric acid should be about 46.800, redefined products is 50% GOOD BUT 100% IS BETTER
Hi there. Thank you for this awesome info! I’m wondering why you say NOT bulletproof coffee? Is coffee the issue or the butter? Or both? Thank you!
Please click through to the article on bulletproof coffee which explains how the details 🙂
Hi Sarah!
A little question,if I’m drinking a coffe in the morning,when I have to drink the cocconut oil? Before coffe,or before breakfast?
Thanks!
Drink your coffee with a spoon of coconut oil less sugar 🙂 3 times a day
A bit of an odd question…I do get queasy with coconut oil straight from the bottle. Do you think that the bitters (because they contain licorice and such that are oestrogenic) would be a good/bad idea for someone with endometriosis? I generally try to stay away from licorice, but would love to solve my queasy problem!
I think the herbal bitters would be fine … just my opinion. Best to consult with your holistic practitioner on that to be sure though.
Is 100% Pure LOUANA going to help with weight lose? I started with this about a week ago I am taking 3 tablespoon a day.
How long does it take to see results? I mix a little regular Coconut in the tablespoon makes it easier to swallow……..
Can I use the oil in green tea
Yes absolutely.
I drink warm lemon water first thing in the morning about 20-30 mins before breakfast. would it be okay to mix the coconut oil in with that, or should I keep them seperate?
Yes, that would be fine 🙂
I have been dealing with my weight for a long time and everything I try doesn’t work back and four to my doctor will this help me I have to lose weight
I have had trouble for years, for me this has been a great way to lose, I started taking it for my diabetes, which has worked wonderfully for it, I have lost 30 lbs .
How do you take it for diabetes? How much daily? Thanks.
Justbwondering how did you take the coconut oil . I’m going to start taking it for my diabetes but have trouble with the solid form