Can a Coconut Oil Detox Help Lose Weight?

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Coconut oil is considered a popular detox method today. People often use coconut oil to lose weight, eliminate toxins from the body, ... So actually detox with coconut oil helps to lose weight?

1. Composition of coconut oil

Coconut oil is a saturated fat, extracted from the copra. It contains fatty acids such as linoleic acid (vitamin F) and lauric acid.
Coconut oil is proven to work well for dry skin and atopic dermatitis. It contains antibacterial substances, which help prevent tooth decay. In addition, it also contains high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol - a type of good cholesterol.
Some people believe that the lauric acid content in coconut oil is beneficial for weight loss. However, this effect has not been proven. There is also no evidence that detoxing with coconut oil is healthy and safe, or that it has long-term weight loss effects.

2. What is Coconut Oil Detox?

Unlike using juice instead of fasting, coconut oil detox is a form of detox to remove excess sugar from the body. Coconut oil is a saturated fat that is metabolized in the liver. Some studies indicate that the lauric acid content in coconut oil may be beneficial for weight loss. The lauric acid in coconut oil also helps in detoxifying the body.
Lauric acid contains medium-chain fatty acids, which do not raise cholesterol levels in the body as much as long-chain fatty acids. Besides, they are transported directly to the liver so they are not stored in the body's adipose tissue. Therefore, they are either used by the body immediately for a quick source of energy or converted into ketones that the body can use as an energy source when needed.
However, there is research showing that lauric acid acts as a long chain fatty acid instead of a medium chain. Therefore, the effect of coconut oil on weight loss is still a question.

3. Coconut oil detox is good?

There is currently no evidence that detoxing with coconut oil has any health benefits. However, proponents of coconut oil cleansing claim it has a number of benefits such as:

3.1 Helps to lose weight

In 3-4 days, if you only use 10 tablespoons of coconut oil and water, you will definitely lose weight. However, this weight loss may just be a decrease in the amount of water in the body, and this is not good for health. Therefore, to maintain the weight loss effect from the coconut oil detox process, you should follow a healthy, scientific diet.

3.2 Prevention and control of Candida

Candida is a common fungus on the skin, mouth, and digestive tract. Candida overgrowth can cause a Candida infection. Consuming too much sugar, refined carbohydrates, or alcohol can also make you more susceptible to candida infections.
Therefore, proponents of coconut oil detox believe that consuming coconut oil can help the body control Candida overgrowth. If you have a candida infection, a diet that helps control the fungal overgrowth may be helpful.

3.3 Reduce infection

Ingredients in coconut oil like caprylic acid and lauric acid can help cleanse the intestines of other fungi, bacteria and viruses.

4. Side effects of coconut oil

Eating large amounts of coconut oil can cause diarrhea, cramps and discomfort in the gastrointestinal tract. Coconut oil can also increase bad cholesterol in the body, leading to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. So, if you have high cholesterol in your body, you should talk to your doctor before deciding to detox with coconut oil. If you are allowed to cleanse your body with coconut oil, you must also continue to take your cholesterol-lowering medication as prescribed by your doctor.

5. Detox with coconut oil like?

You should talk to your doctor before doing a coconut oil cleanse or any other detox method. Your doctor can advise you on whether it's a good choice. Some information related to the body cleansing with coconut oil is as follows:
Proponents of this method believe that fat from coconut oil will provide enough energy for the body during the detox process. The process of body purification usually lasts about 3-4 days; You need to consume about 10-14 tablespoons of unrefined organic virgin coconut oil daily. Do not drink chemically treated coconut oils; The amount of coconut oil that you consume can cause stomach upset or diarrhea. To avoid these side effects, you should start with a small amount and then increase the oil to help your body get used to it. It is advisable to add a small amount of coconut oil to your daily diet for a week or so before you begin your detox with coconut oil; Use coconut oil throughout the day. You can mix it with water or with a small amount of unsweetened yogurt. Alternatively, you can also drink unsweetened lemonade or warm lemon water; Some people can also eat 113 - 141g copra during the detox process; If you decide to try detoxing, drink at least 8-12 glasses of water a day; Avoid strenuous activity; If you feel dizzy, lightheaded or faint, you need to stop the coconut oil detox, eat a small amount of solid food such as protein. For safe weight loss, it's best to combine a healthy diet with an exercise routine. To lose about 450g per week, you need to burn 3,500 more calories than you consume in 1 week.
Currently, there is no evidence that detoxing with coconut oil helps improve health, lose weight,... On the other hand, this detox can cause side effects such as diarrhea, intestinal cramps, abdominal pain, increased cholesterol. body,... Therefore, before deciding to purify your body with coconut oil, you need to discuss and seek the advice of a doctor.

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Reference source: healthline.com