BY LORNE OPLER
Spend enough time in the gym, as I'm sure many if not most readers of this blog do, and you'll likely get all kinds of advice about nutrition. Some of what you'll hear is credible, some not. Such is the case with coconut oil. Look for
and have a soft, distinct taste and te
You can’t go anywhere today without hearing about saturated fats. And what you hear from almost all dietitians is that saturated fats are bad for you. Truth is, not all are. Coconut oil is a good example. Indeed, if exercise and healthy eating are part of your daily routine, coconut oil should be part of it too.
While coconut oil is almost entirely made up of saturated fats (approx 90 percent), it is mostly medium triglycerides (triglycerides being the term for fat molecules found in the body). Medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) have a shorter "chain length" than other saturated fats. This is what makes coconut oil easier to ingest and digest. It does not require the use of bile salts for digestion. Therefore, MCTs are rapidly absorbed from the intestine and sent to the liver where they are oxidized (burned). As a result, they are much less likely to be stored as fat. MCTs found in coconut oil help conserve lean body mass, because they prevent protein from being utilized as an energy source.
While coconut oil is almost entirely made up of saturated fats (approx 90 percent), it is mostly medium triglycerides (triglycerides being the term for fat molecules found in the body). Medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) have a shorter "chain length" than other saturated fats. This is what makes coconut oil easier to ingest and digest. It does not require the use of bile salts for digestion. Therefore, MCTs are rapidly absorbed from the intestine and sent to the liver where they are oxidized (burned). As a result, they are much less likely to be stored as fat. MCTs found in coconut oil help conserve lean body mass, because they prevent protein from being utilized as an energy source.
The most promising MCT is called lauric acid which, when converted to the compound monolaurin, is responsible for the thermogenic, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and many other health-promoting properties of coconut oil. Coconut oil is not only a good fat burner, but an excellent weight gainer as well, both because of its high caloric value and its capacity to burn rather than store fat.
t promising and significant.
How do you use coconut oil?
It’s great for frying, because it not only has a high smoking point, but it won’t lose any of its nutritive values in the sauté pan either. I like to mix a scoop of it into my protein shakes, pour it over my salads, or yes, even spoon it out of the jar if I need a quick source of healthy fats with my meal.
Coconut oil can be found in your local health food store. Look for the unrefined organic extra virgin type, as it has undergone the least amount of processing and should provide you with the most benefits.It’s great for frying, because it not only has a high smoking point, but it won’t lose any of its nutritive values in the sauté pan either. I like to mix a scoop of it into my protein shakes, pour it over my salads, or yes, even spoon it out of the jar if I need a quick source of healthy fats with my meal.
ABOUT THE WRITER
Lorne Opler is a health educator and a certified personal trainer (American Council on Exercise) and also holds certification as a strength and conditioning coach through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). As a fitness educator since 1997, he has worked in health clubs, and hospital and university settings in Austin, Boston and Atlanta. He currently resides in Toronto, Ontario.
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