When Is A Saturated Fat Good
for Your Weight-Loss Goals?

When is a triglyceride good for you? Never, you may be tempted to reply, especially if you just got your lipid profile back from your doctor. What if I told you there was a form of triglyceride that was not only classified as a saturated fat, but actually good for your weight-loss, fat-burning goals? First, would you believe me? Second, if you were open to the idea, would you like to hear more?

Just as I thought. You're having a difficult time believing me, but you're fascinated and really do want to hear more.

The saturated fat is called a medium-chain triglyceride --MCT, for short -- and despite its "association" with fats we normally consider anathema to health, this particular one is being shown through clinical studies that it has health benefits.

Medium-chain fatty acids are so named because their basic molecular structure is shorter than that of some other fatty acids that are readily converted to fat. Because of its shorter structure, MCT's are more quickly converted to energy our body can use.

Listen to the results of this study: Participants were asked to eat a meal abundant in MCTs. Researchers evaluated their metabolism before as well as following the meal. On average, the MCT-rich meal revved up their metabolism by nearly 48 percent. But the news gets even better. It seems the heavier you are, the more our metabolism turbo charges with these fats. Obese individuals in the study displayed an increase in metabolism as high as an amazing 65 percent. And the best news of all, this "super burning" affect lasts for as long as 24 hours!

Let you try to say that this study was just a lone blip on the fat-burning radar screen, I'll site another study right now to disprove your conjecture. The results of this research were reported in the American Journal of Clinical nutrition. This esteemed professional journal reported that MCTs were actually three times more effective at boosting your metabolism than their long-chain counterparts.

The researchers admitted that replacing long-chain fatty acids with these medium chained ones was, indeed, an effective way to boost your weight-loss goals.

And yet a third study - again from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, revealed that consuming medium-chain fatty acids not only boosts your metabolism, but helps to burn the fat already stored in your body!

Okay, okay, you say! I'm convinced. So tell me the types of food in which I can find MCTs. Now that's the spirit. I can hear the jingle of those car keys now. You're ready to go stock up.

Let's talk extra virgin coconut oil. This oil is composed mainly of MCTs. Because of this coconut oil, many now say, may be just the support your fat burning efforts need. Coconut oil, it's said, actually slows down the digestion process. This means that you feel fuller after a meal. In fact, many individuals say that once they add this "secret ingredient" to their meals, they lose the cravings to snack!

Because this specific oil slows your digestion, it also prevents those unhealthy fluctuations in blood sugar that so often accompany a meal.

Now, if you're going to buy coconut oil to add to your fat-burning regime keep a few small tips in mind. The first is to go slow. Oh yes, the temptation is to roll full-steam ahead. But resist this urge. If you've never tried coconut oil before, try only one teaspoon daily. Then you can work your way up to three to six teaspoons a day.

And be sure that your oil is unrefined extra virgin coconut. It's the best choice. And of course where possible, try to purchase the organic kind.

Why is this news so exciting for those trying to burn fat and lose weight? Because now perhaps instead of popping all those "thermogenic stimulants" in futile attempts to turbocharge our metabolism, we can actually succeed by including extra virgin coconut oil in our daily health plans and our menus!

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