Are you tired of hearing about the Keto diet?
There's a simple reason why people are so hyped about the ketogenic diet and process: it's highly effective for weight loss. It's basically a low carb, medium protein, and high fat diet, which means that finding the right source of good fats is essential. One such source is coconut oil. And while coconut oil and the keto diet itself seem just like any other health trend that will soon go the way of Sensa and the iPant, the ketogenic process is actually backed by science.
Let’s look at how raw coconut oil can enhance the ketogenic process, how the fats contained in coconut oil are converted to ketones, how coconut oil staves off hunger, and examine its various other health benefits.
Coconut oil and Ketosis
The keto diet works by eating the right food that helps put your body into a state called ketosis. Through ketosis, the body burns fat instead of glucose. Adding coconut oil to your diet helps speed up this process. The Express details how the fats contained in coconut oil are called medium chain triglycerides (MCT), the type that's easily digested and is a great source of instant energy. Unlike other fats, they don’t need to be broken down before they’re used.
Coconut oil also contains 50% lauric acid, which is said to lower the hormone levels of ghrelin through ketosis. Ghrelin is responsible for regulating hunger. The more ghrelin you produce, the hungrier you’ll be, and the less of it you produce the more satisfied you’ll feel. This is why ingesting coconut oil allows you to stave off hunger and stay full for longer, meaning you’re less likely to snack throughout the day.
Health benefits of coconut oil
Aside from facilitating ketosis and regulating hunger, coconut oil has many other health benefits. Alongside helping you lose weight, coconut oil can help fight chronic diseases including Alzheimer’s. The MCTs in coconut oil provide an alternative fuel source to glucose, which may help people with impaired brain function.
Various studies have also shown that coconut oil can boost heart health. Healthline discussed a study where 91 people were given either coconut oil, olive oil, or butter daily. Those who took coconut oil showed a significant increase in good cholesterol compared to the other groups. These health benefits will become more crucial in the near future with Maryville University forecasting that chronic illnesses are on the rise in the U.S. The university estimates that approximately half of the American population will be affected by some form of chronic illness by 2025. And with the U.S. healthcare system stretched, more and more people will look to alternative ways to prevent these life changing illnesses.
Daily Dose of this Superfood
There are a bunch of ways to enjoy this superfood! While many people take tablespoons of pure coconut oil daily, having it in smoothies is a good alternative. In our article ‘The Morning Smoothie that is Delicious & Burns Fat’, we recommend putting raw virgin coconut oil into your morning smoothie recipe. Coconut oil works as a good fat that blends well with good carbs like fruits and fiber rich flaxseed or spinach. Mix up your smoothies by using different sources of protein, carbs, and fiber, and using different combinations of these healthy ingredients. Who would've ever thought that weight loss could be this delicious?
Article Written by Dr. Alicia Turner
