Was it coconut oil that made Gilligan skinny?

Most people would have thought the Skipper on Gilligan's Island was fat from too much coconut oil. In reality, maybe it was the reason Gilligan was so skinny.

You didn't need to be hit on the head with a coconut to know something about the bad reputation of coconut oil. It was deemed to be unhealthy by mostly everyone in positions of nutrition authority. Besides, if you were looking to create your own successful weight loss pictures, you would be quite foolish to take in foods with high levels of saturated fats, right?

Some experts in the field of integrative medicine have believed in the benefits of coconut oil. Jonny Bowden, author, nutritionist and weight loss coachcalls it one of the 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth. Here's why.

Coconut oil contains a particular type of fat called MCTs. They are medium-chain triglycerides. MCTs are different than other saturated fats. They are metabolized in the body differently, too. For instance, MCTs are rarely stored as body fat. Your body actually prefers to use them for energy.

The International Journal of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders has reported that the MCTs in coconut oil actually increased fat burning and burned calories in obese men and women. Additional good news is that it diminished levels of fat storage.

Some researchers are sharing their findings in the Journal of Nutrition. These ones have given MCTs the label of being potential agents in the prevention of obesity. Thus, the bad reputation of coconut oil seems to be improving.

Like every other fat, coconut oil is high in calories. However, it does contain some very healthy fatty acids. So, there is justification for it to considered a "good fat." Some suggest cooking with a tablespoon of coconut in every meal. There is certainly room to fit it into your weight loss program. An added benefit beyond the burning of fat and calories may be that coconut oil can help to reduce your hunger pangs.

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