Coconut Oil & Thyroid Function
You’ve probably heard by now: Coconut oil is good for the thyroid. Really, it’s good for you in general. If you want to know why, exactly what the coconut oil thyroid benefits are, and how to use coconut oil for hypothyroidism or thyroid disease, read on.
Other Oils Damage the Thyroid
Soybean and vegetable oils are in everything these days, even though they are unhealthy and work against the thyroid. They are polyunsaturated fats, which block the thyroid from secreting thyroid hormone. They also damage cell tissues so that they don’t respond well to the thyroid hormone. (It even messes up estrogen levels in the body! Ever get a hormonal breakout? Try cutting out soy!)
People with hypothyroidism, aka an under-active thyroid, may experience low energy, depression, sleep problems, trouble with mood, and weight gain.
Not only that, but soybean and vegetable oils lead to weight gain. This is because they are made up of long-chain fatty acids that are not easily burned by the body for energy. Instead, they wind up stored as fat. Studies even suggest they wind up turning into extra soft, slippery fat on the body compared to weight gain caused by other oils. Yuck!
Why are unhealthy oils so common? It’s mainly because they are cheap. What’s more is that manufacturers refine them to give their products a longer shelf life. They are hydrogenated, which creates trans fats that are damaging to cells and overall thyroid function. The cost to healthy is clearly too high to be worth it. Virgin coconut oil, on the other hand, is different. Here’s why:
Coconut Oil Thyroid Benefits
As I said: Coconut oil is good for the thyroid. Virgin coconut oil is pure, unrefined, and made of rare medium-chain fatty acids that are amazingly healthy. Don’t be fooled just because it’s a “saturated” fat: It is processed in the body differently than long-chain saturated fats.
Coconut oil boosts metabolism, raises basal body temperature, and raises overall fat burn. These are clearly all good for combating hypothyroidism! Its fats are also quickly turned to energy with little effort by the body. Other saturated fats can’t do all that!
And unlike the unsaturated fats mentioned before, coconut oil won’t block thyroid function. This means a more normalized metabolism, a lower chance of high cholesterol, and more balanced hormones.
Coconut oil can also help to liver to use the thyroid hormone. Since its fatty acids are burned immediately for energy in the liver, and no extra enzymes are needed to break it down, the liver will become less taxed over time, and therefore better able to use the thyroid hormone properly.
What Coconut Oil can do for Your Thyroid Health
Online anecdotes paint an optimistic picture about coconut oil for the thyroid, including for hypothyroidism and thyroid disease. Many people who start taking 1-2 tablespoons of coconut oil daily report weight loss, normalized body temperatures, and lowered TSH levels within weeks.
How to Implement a Coconut Oil Thyroid Treatment
You can take coconut oil by itself – a good dosage is one to two tablespoons per day. If you go this route, just make sure you buy a coconut oil known for its flavorful taste. So far, my favorite coconut oil for health and the yummy taste is Nutiva Extra Virgin Coconut Oil.
You can also use it as a substitute for margarine and butter. Or stir some into your morning coffee or tea. My favorite way is to blend it into my smoothies – very tasty and tropical with bananas and other fruit.
What about you? Have you experienced any coconut oil thyroid benefits?
Hypothyroidism Revolution
If you’re interested in solving problems with hypothyroidism, check out The Hypothyroidism Revolution, a popular eBook by Tom Brimyer. You can watch his presentation about solving hypothyroidism and instantly download the eBook online today. Get started here.
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