How Does Coconut Oil Burn Fat?

The effectiveness of coconut oil as a fat burning tool depends on your diet, and how you use it. Coconut oil burns fat differently than other healthy fats, but it does not necessarily make it easier to lose weight.

This is because it doesn’t burn fat directly. Its main role is to reduce appetite and increase the body’s ability to use fat as an energy source, or in other words, to activate your body’s fat-burning potential by increasing ketone production.

Coconut oil works best for burning fat when combined with a workout routine designed for fat burning.

Why Does Coconut Oil Help You Burn Fat?

Coconut oil’s MCTs may assist with weight loss by boosting the body’s metabolism and increasing satiety. The MCTs in coconut oil are converted to ketones, which can be used as a secondary energy source.

Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCT’s)

Medium Chain Triglycerides (also known as MCT’s) are made up of medium-length, saturated fatty acids. These types of fatty acids can be metabolized better than longer-chain fats and are less likely to be stored in the body as fat.

The body typically uses carbohydrates as its main source of fuel during exercise, but the benefit of coconut oil is that it’s processed differently and provides an alternative fuel source during workout sessions. It also stimulates the thyroid gland, triggering the release of hormones that speed up the metabolism.

Ketones

Ketones are byproducts of the body breaking down fats.

Once ketones get into our cells, they bind to what’s called a ‘Keto-receptor,’ and help turn on other cell functions which enable us to break down fat faster. Ketones also keep blood sugar levels stable while providing a steady energy release for your body.

Ketones are the body’s way of dealing with low carbohydrate intake because they spare protein from being used as an energy source. This means that more calories are burned, which could indirectly contribute to weight loss if enough calories are consumed.

Coconut Oil Satiates Your Appetite

Coconut oil satiates you by raising levels of leptin, a hormone that signals your brain when you are full.

As coconut oil contains MCTs, it is broken down quickly in the digestive system and turned into energy. This means that less of it will be stored as fat on the body.

Using coconut oil for weight loss can help keep hunger pangs at bay so you eat less throughout the day.

How Much Coconut Oil Should You Take?

spoonful of coconut oil
How effective is coconut oil as a fat-burning tool? Does it really help you lose weight? And if so, how?

A dosage of two tablespoons is all it takes for coconut oil to work into your system. (Here’s how to make coconut oil at home).

Coconut oil can be used to replace other cooking oils or as a spread instead of butter. You could also use coconut oil in place of fat-rich dressings for salads and fat burning vegetables.

If you are using it to activate the body’s fat burning potential, add one tablespoon about 30 to 60 minutes before your workout.

Coconut Oil On Ketogenic Diets

Coconut oil is very useful for those following a low-carbohydrate or keto diet, since it increases the body’s ability to use fat as an energy source. Coconut oil can also be used to replace other cooking oils or as a spread instead of butter.

Coconut oil’s MCTs might help reduce fat accumulation in the body on a keto diet because it converts to energy faster than other fats.

MCT’s can also help you lose weight by reducing appetite and cravings for sugary foods, or fatty foods.

If you are using coconut oil as a fat burner, you could also add it to your tea or coffee as a morning health boost.

How Do You Take Coconut Oil With Exercise?

Coconut oil can be used as a pre-workout supplement to energy production. It should be taken about 30-60 minutes before exercising and should consist of one tablespoon. This will not only increase your energy levels during a workout but also throughout the day since the MCTs in coconut oil can keep you in a good mood.

Coconut oil isn’t a magical weight loss tool, but it can contribute to your overall health as well as help you lose the last few pounds. It is also useful for those following a low-carbohydrate or ketogenic diet who need to maintain high energy levels and build muscle mass.