Coconut oil as a stall-breaker?

[Yellobrix]

Okay, while I know the conventional wisdom is that a "true stall" is 6 weeks, I'm not certain I really like that very much, LOL! I mean, I am eating at least 1000 calories less that I should burn daily, and I'm following Atkins by the book. So after 20 days of the scale saying the same thing, day after day, I was really getting frustrated!!

Day before yesterday, I had a really big cheat that lasted several hours and involved a lot of chocolate as well as some french fries. It wasn't pretty. Went to bed at the end of it determined not to repeat that mistake the next day. Yesterday I was super-controlled, carbs at 10. Ketostix tested positive by bedtime, and appetite was back down.

Now, after reading about coconut oil both on this board, and also collecting a bunch of really interesting information on medium chain fatty acids and in particular coconut oil, I decided to try adding at least 3 tablespoons each day.

This morning, the scale reported 172.5. That's after the binge on Sunday and going back on plan Monday. Weird? I consider my scale very accurate, -- it measures to the .5 pound increment.

I will really be interested to know if boosting my fat intake with this particular oil will help with hunger, rev up metabolism, and kick-start my weight loss once again!

[mycattaz]

i read this and thought I would share



Coconut Oil and Weight Loss

I would like to say that I have been on Virgin Coconut Oil for the past 2 months (4 tablespoons daily) and feel better than I have in a long time! My energy levels are up & my weight is down. I am never hungry anymore, & have incorporated a daily exercise routine & have lost 20 pounds. Paula (The Coconut Diet Forums)

The above quote is quite typical of what we are seeing from those who are switching to Virgin Coconut Oil (VCNO) in place of less healthy oils in their diet. Many people are reporting that consumption of VCNO is bringing about increased energy levels, fewer cravings for carbs and sweets, and a more satisfied feeling of being “full” after meals.

Since beginning to use Tropical Traditions Virgin coconut oil, about 8 months ago, I have: experienced a noticeable increase in my energy, rid myself of cravings for carbs, cleared up my complexion (which has always been a problem) gotten the silkiest, most glorious hair from using it internally AND lost 16 pounds. This oil does all that it promises, and more! Sharon Elaine, author

[2BabesMama]

How would one get that much CO in during the day? No way could I just eat it! And I don't cook that much during the day to add it. Maybe with eggs, but not 4T worth!

[Yellobrix]

I am measuring it and just swallowing it plain, right out of the jar! It's not that bad, actually. I have two jars -- one is organic refined (not chemically) for cooking, since I don't want my eggs to be coconut flavored. The other is organic virgin, has a mild & pleasant coconut scent, and that's the one I eat with a spoon.

It can be melted into anything that is warm or medium heat.

Here are a few links that I found interesting:

http://www.pdrhealth.com/drug_info/n...med_0172.shtml

http://www.fluwikie.com/pmwiki.php?n...hainFattyAcids

http://www.westonaprice.org/knowyour...conut_oil.html

[msbaggypants]

I mix the oil in with my flax "cereal" in the morning. Take 1/4 c of flaxmeal, 1/4 c water, microwave for 30 sec, add a dash of salt, 2-3 drops stevia and my oil. Works best if the CO is solid and melts as it's stirred in.

A friend of mine said that she had to reduce her thyroid med. after taking coconut oil. I had about 6 symptoms of sluggish thyroid, so started taking about 1-2 T a day. I would get hot-flashes about 10 minutes after taking it. I'm only 33, so I knew it was the oil. I was extremely cold-sensitive, that's gone. My legs would get so dry in the winter that they would be scaly and red. If I am consistent, my legs and arms are hardly ever that dry now. I noticed that my hair started growing back in, kinda like after I had my kids. My energy is great, but I think that's the lo-carb kicking in, too. My 13yo son has been smearing it on his face because it's dry here, no breakouts or anything. I love the stuff!

[fawn]

I add it to tea 3x a day.

Every afternoon I mix a brew of green tea, lemon, coconut oil and cayenne pepper for my bursitis. No pain at all!

[BABSY]

what is the hot flashes from? I get them too after taking coconut oil

[skinhealth]

My favorite current topic!

I am so impressed with this oil so far.

I 1st was just cooking with it - medium heat on stovetop & 350 in oven. It makes everything taste so much yummier & I had read that it increases your metabolism because of the medium chain fatty acids.

After 2 weeks I noticed that I was no longer craving junk. I couldn't figure out what it was. I have always been a binger - this was huge for me. I did some more research on virgin coconut oil and found that others claimed that it helped with cravings.

So I started adding it to tea. I call this Coconut Dream tea:
steep a bag of Republic of Tea Vanilla Almond tea (black tea) (large mug)
Add 1/2 TBL of my concoction of birch sugar (best form of xylitol) and pure vanilla bean extract
2 TBL unsweetened coconut milk
2 TBL virgin coconut oil

My appetite has decreased SIGNIFICANTLY since I started doing this 2-3 times a day. I'm still so amazed. I started doing this 3 weeks ago & I just took before and after pics this morning - so perfect timing.

The 1st pics are exactly 2 weeks ago (part of a Tight Jeans Challenge I'm doing with a group of people)- about 1 week after I started putting coconut oil in my tea. The last 2 pics were taken this morning. Please excuse the horrible messiness - today's a big cleaning day:

[skinhealth]

I also started doing T-tapp about the same time I started adding coconut oil to my tea - mostly the 15 minute Basic Workout Plus.

I invented a new treat the other day as well that tastes JUST like cookie dough:

I used a whole jar of raw organic coconut butter (very high in coconut oil_, heated it just enough to liquefy it and then added a couple tablespoons of raw cacao nibs and pure vanilla extract & vanilla.

I put this mixture into ice cube trays and froze it for about an hour.
YUM There's about 0.6 carbs in each one once you subtract the fiber which is about 1.5 carbs for each piece.

I'm going to follow with another post with great virgin coconut oil recipes to help you increase coconut oil intake.

[skinhealth]

I posted this a few weeks ago:
Coconut oil helps prevent craving for junk foods?

Someone copy & pasted this thread as well with tons of great coconut recipes:
http://www.lowcarbfriends.com/bbs/sh...d.php?t=334903

I would post more but I'm afraid that I'm already coming off as way too excited - if you want more info I've found - just let me know & I can post it.

Thank you Yellobrix for the links - I'm going to check them out right now.

[lovebaker]

What kind do I buy if I want to put some in hot tea??

[CarolynF]

We had a Team Coconut thread several years back..The key is to REPLACE the other fats with coconut oil..not just add 300 calories (3 Tbs.) willynilly..to your plan..

Some of us even used the Wallie brand..Louann's because it was cheaper and didn't have that coconutty taste for other recipes..

[skinhealth]

Good point Carolyn about REPLACING.

I eat more lean meats now & cook them with coconut oil or olive oil.
I also add borage & flax to my smoothies.
And of course I take fish oil capsules as well.

Lovebaker -
I'm using the Nutiva. It's organic, raw, extra virgin, & unrefined. I'm going to try a few others online as well.

[Starwing925]

I tried using this and within 30 minutes of drinking a tablespoon of it in my tea I was throwing up! I felt very ill for about 2 hours. I am not allergic to coconut and eat alot of unsweetened coconut but I thought the oil was going to kill me!

[crazywoman-n-wy]

[COLOR=red]I have a couple of questions. This first one is for fawn. You said[/COLOR]

Originally Posted by fawn

I add it to tea 3x a day.

Every afternoon I mix a brew of green tea, lemon, coconut oil and cayenne pepper for my bursitis. No pain at all!

[COLOR=red]I know this sounds crazy, but is this a tea you drink, or are you making a "rub" that you apply to your bursitis?[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#ff0000][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#ff0000]CarolynF,[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#ff0000]You said here, and have said before that you use the LouAna coconut oil from Wal*Mart. Did any of you have any problems with it? Did you seem to have good results with it? [/COLOR]
[COLOR=#ff0000]The reason I'm asking is someone here (another coconut topic) said it wasn't good. I've gone thru a jar of it, and am on my second one. But I'm not using it like they talk about here. Not necessirally adding more, just using it in cooking instead of other oils. I actually haven't replaced them all. I still use olive oil, and grapeseed oil in and for some things. The other poster got me wondering. I can't find any info on the LouAna. The label says Ingredient: Coconut oil. It also says 100% Pure All Natural.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#ff0000]I tried checking out their website. It's all about their peanut oil. I tried calling and got an answering system.[/COLOR]

[flaminghotsauce mama]

A lot of commercial Coconut Oil is extracted from "copra" which is the dried out coconuts. It can get moldy, but they still use it. They use a chemical extraction (hexane is the chemical), and there is concern about that. If it isn't Virgin or Expeller Pressed, it is likely the copra type that has been hexane extracted and deodorized and bleached so there is no taste. It is called RBD for short - Refined, Bleached, Deodorized.

That said, I still use it (the LouAna brand). Mainly because it's cheap and it is STILL medium chain triglycerides, regardless of extraction method. In a couple weeks I'll have the extra $$ to get a big vat of Virgin Coconut oil, I'll probably get the 5 gallon pail if I can convince dh.

[itsmeshelly1]

I also use coconut oil and use the one from Wallys...i dont know about it being any different than the other stuff...it says its 100% all natural so i dont know...i hope someone can help answer that for both of us.

I need to start using more of it and see what it does...right now i use it to cook with when i make my eggs in the mornings and at night when i have a cup of hot tea i will add 2T...its kind of weird at first because the oil will sit on top but it doesnt have a taste so i just drink it right up...i think i will try upping my intake a little and see what happens...but im really curious to know if the wally brand isnt any good...maybe i should go to the health food store and buy some but its just so much more expensive there...i hope someone can help

[Yellobrix]

Originally Posted by skinhealth

Good point Carolyn about REPLACING.

Skinhealth & Carolyn -- I see & understand your comments about replacing other oils w/coconut rather than simply adding it on top of what is already eaten.

However, after reading as much as I possibly could, I decided to take the route of using it in addition to my usual fat intake. That is, I have not made any effort to cut out other fats. I still am eating salad dressing, mayo, butter, and whatever fat is naturally in the meat I prepare.

Why did I do it this way? My understanding is that medium chain triglycerides (same as medium chain fatty acids) are processed in an entirely different way. Rather than being transported via the lymphatic system directly into adipose (fat) tissue in the body, MCT's travel via the blood to the liver and are made available immediately for use as energy. Because MCT's are much more ketogenic than other fats, they are "free" so to speak, in that it isn't possible to add them to your body fat.

Theoretically, the increase in ketones could account for the appetite suppression as well as the potential increase in metabolism.

This is what I have noticed so far -- I have been fighting some sort of perimenopausal type of acne on my chin for months. It is gone -- totally 100% gone, and we're talking about completely healed in a matter of 3 days!! I have tried every Rx, OTC, and herbal remedy you can think of to get rid of it. Pimples simply do not go with wrinkles, so I consider this in and of itself a downright miracle!!!

And, after a stall of 20+ days at 173, the scale read 172.5 yesterday and 171.5 this morning, so gently trending downward. I hope that continues.

I'm just going to keep at this for a solid month and see what the results are at the end of that. If they're good, then coconut oil is my best friend ever!

[msbaggypants]

Originally Posted by BABSY

what is the hot flashes from? I get them too after taking coconut oil

My guess is that it's working on the thyroid or maybe adrenals. I don't know which, have not had mine tested to see which is out, but had symptoms of poor function of both. The hot flashes go away in a couple weeks. If I skip a couple days, I don't get them when I get back on the oil. Mostly I notice my skin getting flaky, or I am super-sensitive to cold.

[LoveMyGSDs]

I'm not all that crazy about the taste of coconut, but I'm going to have to try this. Maybe I'll buy some pineapple essence and make pina colda tea.

[JONAH'S GRANNY]

Tropical Traditions Coconut Cream sounds good. Can't wait to look for it at Whole Foods.

[rainabear]

Originally Posted by Starwing925

I tried using this and within 30 minutes of drinking a tablespoon of it in my tea I was throwing up! I felt very ill for about 2 hours. I am not allergic to coconut and eat alot of unsweetened coconut but I thought the oil was going to kill me!

Your body makes different enzymes to process different kinds of foods, even different kinds of oils. If you've never eaten coconut oil you will not have the correct enzymes to process it and it's going to give you digestive problems.

Don't give up though! Start off with a tsp a day added to other foods/fats that you are used to and increase every 2 days, by the time you get up to the full dose your body will be making the correct enzymes and no more stomach problems.

I had the same problem when I started using olive oil, which is an oil I had hardly ever used before. (I take it for inflammatory problems.)

I was doing the "shangri-la" diet a year ago, which involves eating unflavored calories to lower the set point. (To do this you have to eat the calories with no other flavors for 1 hour before and 1 hour after, so not in tea.) It works really great for some people, but didn't work so great for me because I have such metabolic resistance. Now that I'm on low carb and feeling better in that respect, I think I may start this again with half coconut oil and half olive oil. I use the walli-brand, btw.

Coconut oil is also great directly on the skin, the fatty acids are the same as the kinds our skins make. A lot of lotions have coconut oil in them in addition to other things, which you don't really need. I put coconut oil on my face right after a shower...seems a little counterintuitive to wash off the oil and then add some more, but it really does help a ton.

[LoveMyGSDs]

Originally Posted by rainabear

Your body makes different enzymes to process different kinds of foods, even different kinds of oils. If you've never eaten coconut oil you will not have the correct enzymes to process it and it's going to give you digestive problems.

Don't give up though! Start off with a tsp a day added to other foods/fats that you are used to and increase every 2 days, by the time you get up to the full dose your body will be making the correct enzymes and no more stomach problems.

Great advice! Thanks rainabear!

[Starwing925]

Originally Posted by rainabear

Your body makes different enzymes to process different kinds of foods, even different kinds of oils. If you've never eaten coconut oil you will not have the correct enzymes to process it and it's going to give you digestive problems.

Don't give up though! Start off with a tsp a day added to other foods/fats that you are used to and increase every 2 days, by the time you get up to the full dose your body will be making the correct enzymes and no more stomach problems.

I had the same problem when I started using olive oil, which is an oil I had hardly ever used before. (I take it for inflammatory problems.)

I was doing the "shangri-la" diet a year ago, which involves eating unflavored calories to lower the set point. It works really great for some people, but didn't work so great for me because I have such metabolic resistance. Now that I'm on low carb and feeling better in that respect, I think I may start this again with half coconut oil and half olive oil. I use the walli-brand, btw.

Coconut oil is also great directly on the skin, the fatty acids are the same as the kinds our skins make. A lot of lotions have coconut oil in them in addition to other things, which you don't really need. I put coconut oil on my face right after a shower...seems a little counterintuitive to wash off the oil and then add some more, but it really does help a ton.

Thanks for the info, makes sense. I will try it in smaller quantities mixed in with my food instead of a drink. I really think that there are great benefits to this and will try it!

[fawn]

They use a chemical extraction (hexane is the chemical),

This is petroleum based and is something I stay away from.

I use Nutiva which is a very high quality of cold pressed EVCO


Nutiva Extra-Virgin Coconut Oil:
Certified organic and non-GMO
Made from fresh coconuts, not dried copra
Cold-processed under 104 degree’s
Pressed within two hours of chopping
Unrefined
Chemical-free
Unfermented
Unbleached
Undeodorized
Unhydrogenated
Pure white like fresh coconut
Tastes like fresh coconut
Has a fresh coconut fragrance

The way in which your coconut oil is processed is very important.....that being said, cold processed over hexane.

[fawn]

Just to add, I too did not replace my other fats with CO....I just added it. But then again, I don't eat bacon and eggs for breakfast. I eat 5 cups of veggies with yogurt and berries.

[nonstickpam107]

Originally Posted by msbaggypants

I mix the oil in with my flax "cereal" in the morning. Take 1/4 c of flaxmeal, 1/4 c water, microwave for 30 sec, add a dash of salt, 2-3 drops stevia and my oil. Works best if the CO is solid and melts as it's stirred in.

A friend of mine said that she had to reduce her thyroid med. after taking coconut oil. I had about 6 symptoms of sluggish thyroid, so started taking about 1-2 T a day. I would get hot-flashes about 10 minutes after taking it. I'm only 33, so I knew it was the oil. I was extremely cold-sensitive, that's gone. My legs would get so dry in the winter that they would be scaly and red. If I am consistent, my legs and arms are hardly ever that dry now. I noticed that my hair started growing back in, kinda like after I had my kids. My energy is great, but I think that's the lo-carb kicking in, too. My 13yo son has been smearing it on his face because it's dry here, no breakouts or anything. I love the stuff!

I just wanted to comment on the 'friend' Of all the women who HAVE thyroid DISEASE (yes it's a disease...and you either have it or you don't...to be 'low' would be like being a 'little pregnant'), 98% of them have autoimmune hypothyroidism (Hashimoto's).

Coconut oil will NOT 'cure' or lessen Hashimoto's Disease. As far as 'only 33, so I KNEW'..um...babies can be born with Hashimoto's. (Not saying your friend isn't benefitting from it...just saying that lest I get 100's of emails telling me about the 'lady who cured Hashimoto's with coconut oil'.

Whatever 'works' for YOU ... works and that's great if this does. Otherwise, over the past several years, this site, and LOTS of others (thousands!!) have all brought up coconut oil and it's 'advantages'. No one with thyroid disease has been 'cured' by it.

Pam

[lovebaker]

I bought 100% organic, extra virgin coconut oil, brand is Garden of Life

I just made a cup of hot tea and it is so yummy

1cup green tea
1/2 packet splenda
1tbsp coconut oil

Super ymmy, just thought I would share

[SgtMomArmy]

Originally Posted by Yellobrix

This is what I have noticed so far -- I have been fighting some sort of perimenopausal type of acne on my chin for months. It is gone -- totally 100% gone, and we're talking about completely healed in a matter of 3 days!! I have tried every Rx, OTC, and herbal remedy you can think of to get rid of it. Pimples simply do not go with wrinkles, so I consider this in and of itself a downright miracle!!!

I went out and bought it immediately. I'd be happy to see my acne improve in 3 days. Have my first dose down and will see if I am as fortunate as you are.

[mermaid]

I disagree Pam. Not everyone with depressed thyroid function has a disease (and these days everyone is calling every affliction a disease to the point where the word has lost its meaning anyhow). Some people do have temporarily reduced thyroid function for many different reasons, including dieting or stress. If they just take care of themselves, their thyroid will bounce back. And just how do you know that nobody has cured themselves of thyroid "disease?"