What Are the Benefits of Coconut Oil for Hypothyroidism?

The health and nutritional benefits of coconut oil have been appreciated around the world for centuries. In the United States, however, coconut oil has gotten a bad rap because it contains high amounts of saturated fat. Still many experts believe it offers plenty of benefits, including improved thyroid health.

Theories/Speculation

• While no one therapy can cure all thyroid related diseases, coconut oil can have a significant effect on the most common forms of thyroid diseases, such as low thyroid function. In combination with a sensible diet, it has the potential to improve thyroid system function.

Potential

• Coconut oil may help those with low thyroid function because it fuels the metabolism. When metabolism is increased, cells throughout the body function at a higher rate of efficiency.

Considerations

• Coconut oil is a medium-chain triglyceride, a fatty acid shown to boost the levels of thyroid hormones, which are essential to metabolism. Some users claim to have dropped weight quickly after adding coconut oil to their diet.

Benefits

• Research shows that coconut oil not only stimulates the metabolism, but also boosts energy. In addition, many users who suffer from up and down mood swings have noticed a positive improvement in their mood levels.

Warning

• Coconut oil improves digestion and absorption of other nutrients including vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. However, experts warn not to take coconut oil on an empty stomach since it could produce bloating and gas.