If you’re trying to shrink your bulging waistline, you’ve probably been cutting fats-and especially those notoriously heart-harming saturated fats-from your diet every chance you get. But believe it or not, this is one piece of "common sense" you may want to reconsider.
As it turns out, recent research is flying in the face of that age-old wisdom…at least where one natural source of saturated fat is concerned.
A new study examined the effects of coconut oil supplementation on women with abdominal obesity-that is, a waist circumference greater than 34 ½ inches-one of the leading risk factors in both heart disease and diabetes. Researchers followed 40 subjects between the ages of –half receiving 30 mL of coconut oil per day and half receiving 30 mL of soybean oil-over the course of 12-weeks.1
The study participants were instructed to follow a balanced low-calorie diet and to walk for 50 minutes per day. Lipid levels-including total cholesterol and HDL/LDL cholesterol ratios-were evaluated at both the beginning and end of the trial.
After 12 weeks, results showed that carbohydrate and overall caloric intake-as well as body mass index (BMI) measurements-decreased in both groups. But only the subjects taking coconut oil ended up with smaller waistlines-not to mention increased HDL (that is, "good" cholesterol) levels and an improved LDL to HDL ratio.
The patients taking soybean oil, on the other hand, weren’t so lucky. Not only did the total cholesterol levels increase in this group, but LDL ("bad" cholesterol) levels did as well. Health-boosting levels of HDL, however, did drop-resulting in a higher LDL to HDL ratio, and the increased heart risk that comes with it.
The study authors’ conclusion? Saturated fat or not, coconut oil doesn’t negatively impact your cholesterol levels. It does, however, appear to fight belly fat… a benefit that reaches well beyond a closet full of smaller clothes.
VRP offers two versions of this nourishing natural oil. Try regular coconut oil for an odorless, tasteless, and uniquely healthy butter or margarine substitute-or, try organic, virgin coconut oilorganic, virgin coconut oil (derived from fresh organic coconuts, rather than from dried coconut fiber). Organic, Virgin Coconut Oil provides a minimally processed product that offers a light coconut taste and facilitates the assimilation of fat-soluble vitamins derived from foods and dietary supplements.
Reference:
1. Assuncao ML, Ferreira HS, Dos Santos AF, Cabral CR Jr, Florencio TM. Effects of Dietary Coconut Oil on the Biochemical and Anthropometric Profiles of Women Presenting Abdominal Obesity. Lipids. 2009 May 13. Published Online Ahead of Print.