Coconut Oil Increases Fat Metabolism

Most of the oils and fats that you eat come from either plants or animals, all of which consist of of LCFA (long chain fatty acids). In fact, approximately ninety-eight percent of the dietary lipids that people eat consists of LCFA. Coconut oil is really unlike most others because it is mostly composed of medium chain fatty acids (MCFA), with lauric acid constituting approximately 47% of coconut oil. Here is where it gets important: medium chain fatty acids (MCFA) are metabolized very differently from LCFA (long chain fatty acids). First, I'll explain how most dietary fats consisting of long chain fatty acids are digested and metabolized. Then I'll inform you how medium chain fatty acids found in coconut oil are digested and metabolized, pointing out the significance and the major differences.

Long chain fatty acids (LCFA) existing in animal and plant fats are not easily absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract and require pancreatic enzymes and bile salts to to metabolize them so that they can be taken up by the intestine. Next, the long chain fatty acids are packaged into, what is called, chylomicrons, which are a type of protein known as lipoproteins that transport lipids throughout the body. The chylomicrons are transported throughout the lymphatic system then circulate through the bloodstream, where they deliver fat components to a number of tissues, including cardiac, skeletal tissue, and adipose. After the lipoproteins have dropped off their fat components to these tissues, the left over lipoproteins head to the liver, where they are brought into the mitochondria of liver cells, using the carnitine palmitoyl transferase (CPT) machinery, and are finally oxidized for energy uses (Life Sciences 62 (14): 1203-1215). This is how all saturated fatty acids, unsaturated fats, and cholesterol that consists of long chain fatty acids (all of your dietary fat) is transported throughout the body.

In stark contrast, medium chain fatty acids found in coconut oil are absorbed by the GI tract (gastrointestinal) with ease, they do not require any pancreatic enzymes to break them down, which means less work for your pancreas. Next, medium chain fatty acids are shipped to the portal blood stream, directly to the liver, where they go directly into mitochondria without the use of the carnitine palmitoyl transferase, and are immediately oxidized for energy. MCFA (medium chain fatty acids) from coconut oil do not get packaged up with lipoproteins, and do not get transported to a variety of tissues and are not stored as body fat, they go directly to the liver and are metabolized for energy (Life Sciences 62 (14): 1203-1215). The bottom line is that medium chain fatty acids from coconut oil produces almost exclusively energy, whereas, LCFA (long chain fatty acids) found in all other dietary fats produce body fat (and some energy).

Because the medium chain fatty acids found in coconut oils are easily and rapidly pulled into the mitochondria, unlike long chain fatty acids (LCFA), they're immediately used for energy, resulting in a burst of thermogenesis and energy, which, subsequently, increases metabolism. Several animal studies and clinical studies have shown that ingestion of coconut oil increases metabolism and decreases body fat both in animal studies performed on mice and rats, as well as humans. Rats that were fed a diet consisting of medium chain fatty acids (MCFA) had reduced subcutaneous fat, a visibly evident decrease in body fat, increased metabolism and increased thermogenesis (Lipids 22 (6): 442-444). The energy burst that is produced by MCFA (medium chain fatty acids) is also great for athletic endurance. In one specific study, Researchers tested the ability to tolerate endurance exercise in mice that were fed MCFA (medium chain fatty acids) vs. those fed a diet that was, instead, high in LCFA (long chain fatty acids) for 6 weeks. The animals were tested with a swimming endurance test, where they had to swim against a current, every other day. The animals that were fed medium chain fatty acids instead of long chain fatty acids consistently had more endurance than the others and demonstrated a much higher level of physical endurance (Journal of Nutrition 125 (3):531-9). These scientific studies in animals provide us with demonstrable evidence that medium chain fatty acids increase metabolism and promote the loss of fat while providing a surge of energy that increases physical endurance, in a manner that doesn't make you fat. Yes, this surge in energy means you feel less lethargic, and can help you feel less tired as you perform daily activities.

A ton of studies have demonstrated that coconut oil (as stated earlier, a MCFA) clearly demonstrates an effect in men and women very analogous to what has been shown in other studies involving animal models: it increases metabolism and decreases overall body fat, therefore, coconut oil decreases obesity. For example, healthy men and women were administered either medium chains fats or long chain fats in addition to a diet similar in protein, carbohydrate, and fat content for 12 weeks. Throughout the 12 weeks, individuals that took medium chain fatty acids had significantly less body weight and, specifically, body fat (The Journal of Nutrition 131 (11): 2853-2859). Studies have also shown that ingestion of medium chain fatty acids also increase the burning of long chain fatty acids (LCFA) that are already in your body (International Journal of Obesity and Related Metabolic Disorders: Journal of the International Association for the Study of Obesity 24 (9): 1158-1166). Similar to the scientific animal studies, medium chain fatty acids also boost energy production by increasing thermogenesis, which increases the metabolic rate in humans as well (Metabolism: Clinical and Experimental 38 (7): 641-648). In another study, people with high levels of circulating triglycerides were given medium chain fatty acids (MCFA) for 8 weeks. In addition to decreasing body fat, their triglyceride levels plummeted by 14.5 percent (European Journal of Clinical Nutrition 63 (7): 879-886).

So just a quick refresher for those of you that lost focus:

• Coconut oil, a source of medium chain fatty acids, is metabolized by a different process than long chain fatty acids altogether, this process speeds up its use as energy instead of storing it away as adipose tissue.


• Because the body has to preferentially burn the fat off, it ramps up the metabolism by increasing thermogenesis.


• This ramping up of the metabolism then proceeds to not only burn off coconut oil, but long chain fatty acids pre-existing the consumption of coconut oil as well.


• These effects have been demonstrated both in animal studies, and more importantly, human studies. To reap the medium chain triglyceride benefits you simply need to change the type of oil you normally cook with to coconut oil.

These statements and/or products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not medical advice, if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your physician.