Oils
by John Meadows on April 18, 2014Macadamia Nut Oil
This is another fine oil to cook with. The large majority of the oil is monosatured/oleic acid which has numerous health benefits. Actually, oleic acid also helps omega-3s get into the cell membrane. If you remember what I wrote about saturated fats being important as it relates to cell wall structure and integrity, omega 3’s also play a role in keeping the cell wall at the correct rigidity for messages to get in and out. The smoke point for this oil, depending on what you read, is 400-450 degrees fahrenheit. Macadamia nut oil is second only to avocado oil in terms of my favorite oils.
Avocado Oil
You will learn what to cook with in my program. You have many options like Avocado Oil, which is primarily a monosaturate, and is stable up to 500 degrees. I love this oil.
Virgin Coconut Oil
This is another one of my favorites. Coconut oil does a number of very good things for someone attempting to get lean. 95% of the fat in coconut oil is saturated, of which about half is Lauric Acid. The fat is a special type of fat (Medium chain triglyceride) that is easily converted to energy by your liver. There are numerous studies out there that corroborate this. Dr Serrano has been using Coconut Oil for endurance athletes too, mixed with slower burning carbs for immediate and sustained energy. I have also seen some claims that I am still researching in terms of your body’s increased ability to burn long chain fats, when these MCT’s are taken in. Most of these studies are taking place at McGill University in Canada. If this were true, it would be another reason to add this fat into your diet when bodyfat loss is a primary goal. There is another side of coconut oil too that shouldn’t be forgotten and it relates to general health. It is loaded (more than any other food source) with Lauric acid. This is a fat that is extremely anti-viral and antimicrobial. Lauric acid converts to its active form Monolaurin (much like T-4 converting to active T-3 in your body for those of you who have studied thyroid function). Monolaurin is currently being given to HIV patients is showing much promise. You can see some of the research at www.lauric.org. It is also found heavily in breast milk, which is a reason why babies who are breast feed seem to have stronger immune systems. The best thing about Lauric acid in food – it’s in a big dose, in my favorite snack food – Jennie’s Macaroons! I love these tasty treats. You can order these on Amazon.com. They come in packs of 6.
Red Palm Oil
Known for its deep red color, red palm oil is a nutritional powerhouse. It is your best source of provitamin A carotenes (beta-carotene and alpha-carotene). These are the same nutrients in addition to lycopene, which give tomatoes, carrots and other fruits and veggies their deep red and orange colors. Red Palm oil has 15 times more provitamin A carotenes than carrots and 300 times more than tomatoes. There is evidence tying low vitamin A levels to asthma, irritable bowel syndrome, kidney stones, fatty liver disease, blindness, weakened bones, lower immunity, impaired learning ability and mental function, vulnerability to environmental toxins, and vulnerability to oxidative stress, which is a state of molecular degeneration that underlies essentially all of the chronic, degenerative diseases. In addition to the carotene content, it contains vitamin E, CoQ10, phytosterols, and glycolipids. The vitamin E acts as a nutrient barrier by protecting the carotenes from oxidative destruction in the intestines. The oily matrix allows for proper absorption of its nutrient content. For these reasons, the bioavailability is much higher in red palm oil than in regular fruits and veggies. So your body is absorbing more micronutrients, specifically vitamin A. The majority of the fat content is saturated and monounsaturated. It is very heat stable and is best utilized in low temperature cooking/saut?ng or raw. There is a great article on the Mountain Dog Express site in which Chris Masterjohn goes into this oil in detail fyi. You should include it in your nutrition plans!