Fat That Makes You Thin
People who are concerned about their weight often blame dietary fat as the culprit for the weight gain. However, all fats are not equal in their metabolic effects. Here’s a fat that not only wouldn’t make you fat but it also gives you better health. And it’s name is coconut oil!
Fewer calories
Not all fat molecules or fatty acids are the same. Coconut oil has a unique chain called medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs). This means it has fewer calories, in fact, compared to other fats, coconut oil is only approximately 8.6 calories per gram versus 9 calories per gram for other fats. What does this mean for you? Coconut oil is an incredibly helpful tool in weight control and regulation.
Increase your energy and rev up your metabolism
Coconut oil is mainly composed of MCFAs while most other fats, such as vegetable oils and animal fat are composed of long-chain fatty acids (LCFAs). The length of the molecule determines how the fat is metabolized or burned in the body. Coconut oil can boost your metabolism and your energy level, making it easier for you to lose weight through an increased level of activity. According to an article published in International Journal of Obesity and Related Metabolic Disorders, women burnt 45 kcal/day more when they consumed MCFA instead of LCFA as part of their weight loss diet plan.
The MCFA found in coconut oil is rapidly digested, assimilated and utilized by the body as fuel for energy, and it promotes thermogenesis (burning of calories to produce heat). This is especially beneficial for people with low thyroid function who also want to shed off extra pounds.
Decrease fats deposition
Under normal circumstances, the dietary fat we eat is digested and broken down in the intestine into individual fatty acids by enzymes from pancreas and gallbladder. These fatty acids are then repackaged into small bundles of fat protein called lipoproteins. Lipoproteins are sent into the bloodstream where they are deposited into our fat cells. In other words, fat in our diet usually ends up as fat deposits in our body.
Laurie acid, a carbon MCFA found predominantly in coconut oil is absorbed directly into the portal circulation and transported to the liver for rapid oxidation as a source of fuel to produce energy, just like the way our body metabolizes carbohydrates for energy. Upon consumption, they are instantly digested and completely broken down into fatty acids by the time they leave the stomach. This means it does not require pancreatic enzymes and bile from the gallbladder for digestion. Consequently, they do not get packed away inside fat cells.
Generally, rapid metabolism of MCFA may decrease their deposition into adipose tissue.
