COCONUT OIL AND IT’S HEALTH BENEFITS: WHAT ROLE CAN IT PLAY IN

WEIGHT LOSS AND OBESITY REDUCTION?

Presented by Julie A. BrierDecember 6, 2013

Presentation Outline MCFA structure and

function

Composition of Coconut Oil (CO)

CO as a means to prevent and reduce obesity

Dietary Considerations and Recommendations

Supplementation vs. Food

Conclusions

Coconut Oil Extraction Dry Process

Clean, ground or steamed copra is pressed (most common method)

Wet Process Extraction from Coconut Milk

Refined, Bleached, and Deodorized (RBD) Carried on from Dry, Heated to 204-245°C, tailor made

for cooking purposes

Fractionation medium-chain fatty acids are separated for specific

uses (Lauric Acid,caprylic/capric triglyceride oil)

Medium-Chain Triglycerides

6-10 Carbon Saturated Fatty Acid

Absorbed directly into the portal circulation and transported to the liver for rapid oxidation

http://www.rsc.org/images/44---feature-fat-structure_tcm18-34671.jpg

Fatty Acids composition of Coconut Oil

Impact on Energy Expenditure and Thermogenesis

Ogawa et al. (2007)

Scalfi et al. (1991)

St-Onge MP and Jones PJH (2002)

Thermogenesis and Energy

Expenditure Cont.

Eating Fat to Reduce Fat?

One tablespoon contains 117 calories and 13.6 grams of fat http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/coconut-oil-and-weight-loss/AN01899

Reductions in Abdominal Fat

“The ingestion of coconut oil did not produce

undesirable alterations in the lipid profile of

women presenting abdominal obesity, although

dietary supplementation with this oil did give

rise to a reduction in WC, which is considered to

confer some protection against CVDs.”

(Assunc¸a˜o et al., 2009)

Impact on Food Intake and Satiety

Pre-absorbative effect

Production of ketones that suppress hunger

A hyperinsulinemic response because of the ketones

Satiated by the first meal as they absorb the entire fat nutrient at the time of ingestion leading to decreased intake at second meal

Clegg ME (2010)

Discrepancies in the Literature

Weight and Health Status of Subjects

Lack of Males v.s Female Comparison Studies

Variations in Length of Feeding

Origin of MCFAs (most combination of oils)

Supplementation and Dietary Use

Should I supplement? Should I use it when I cook?

Coconut Oil Products/Promotions “Eat Fat, Look Thin” and “The Coconut Oil

Miracle” (Bruce Fife, ND)

Tropical Traditions http://www.tropicaltraditions.com/faq.htm#1

Questions?

References Assunc¸˜ao ML., Ferreira HS., Dos Santos AF., Cabral Jr. CR., and Florˆencio TMMT. Effects of dietary coconut

oil on the biochemical and anthropometric profiles of women presenting abdominal obesity. Lipids; 2009:44(7):593-601.  

Clegg ME. Medium-chain triglycerides are advantageous in promoting weight loss although not beneficial to exercise performance.International Journal of Food Science and Nutrition; 2010: 61(7):653–679 

Enig M. Health and nutritional benefits from coconut oil and its advantages over competing oils. Indian Coconut Journal; 2010.

Ginsberg HN, Barr SL, Gilbert A et al. Reduction of Plasma Cholesterol Levels In Normal Men On An American Heart Association Step 1 Diet Or A Step 1 Diet With Added Monounsaturated Fat. The New England Journal of Medicine;1990; 322(9):574-79. 

Han JR., Deng B., Sun J., et al. Effects of dietary medium chain triglyceride on weight loss and insulin sensitivity in a group of moderately overweight free-living type 2 diabetic Chinese subjects. Metabolism; 2007:56(7): 985-991.  

Laiu KM, Lee YY, Chen CK and Rasool AHG. An Open-Label Pilot Study to Assess the Efficacy and Safety of Virgin Coconut Oil in Reducing Visceral Adiposity. ISRN Pharmacology; 2011. 

Marten B., Pfeuffer M. and Schrezenmeir J. Medium-chain triglycerides. International Dairy Journal; 2006;16:1374-82.

Ogawa A, Nosaka N, Kasai M et al. Dietary Medium- and Long-chain Triacylglycerols Accelerate Diet-Induced Thermogenesis in Humans. Journal of Oleo Science; 2007;56(6): 283-87. 

Scalfi L, Coltorti A and Contaldo F. Postprandial thermogenesis in lean and obese subjects after meals supplemented with medium-chain and long-chain triglycerides. 

Sodamade A, Oyedepo TA and Bolaji OS. Fatty Acids Composition of Three Different Vegetable Oils (Soybean Oil, Groundnut Oil and Coconut Oil) by High Preformance Liquid Chromotography. Chemistry and Materials Research; 2013:17:26-29.

St-Onge MP and Jones PJ. Physiological Effects of Medium-Chain Triglycerides: Potential Agents in the Prevention of Obesity. Journal of Nutrition; 2002:132(3):329-32.

St-Onge MP, Jones PJ. Greater rise in fat oxidation with medium-chain triglyceride consumption relative to long-chain triglyceride is associated with lower initial body weight and greater loss of subcutaneous adipose tissue. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord; 2003: 27(12):1565–1571.