Coconut oil is an incredibly healthy fat. Show
It’s rich in several medium-chain fatty acids that can have powerful effects on your metabolism. Fractionated coconut oil is made from coconut oil and mainly consists of two medium-chain fatty acids. It has been marketed as a coconut oil that can stay in liquid form in the fridge. This is a detailed review of fractionated coconut oil and its health effects. What is fractionated coconut oil?Fractionated coconut oil is an oil made from regular coconut oil. Both regular and fractionated coconut oils are great sources of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), providing fatty acids that contain 6 to 12 carbon atoms. However, their fatty acid composition is vastly different. While the main fatty acid in coconut oil is the 12-carbon lauric acid (C12), most or all of this fatty acid has been removed from fractionated coconut oil. The long-chain fatty acids present in coconut oil have also been eliminated. Thus, the main medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) in fractionated coconut oil are:
MCFAs are metabolized differently than other fats. They’re transported directly to the liver from the digestive tract, where they may be used as a quick source of energy. They can also be turned into ketone bodies, which are compounds that may have therapeutic effects in those with epilepsy (1). Fractionated coconut oil is tasteless, odorless, and usually more expensive than regular coconut oil. It’s very similar or even identical to MCT oil. Summary How is fractionated coconut oil made?Fractionated coconut oil is produced via a process called fractionation. Fractionation is used to separate different types of fats that are naturally found in some oils. It’s often done to make new products for consumers (2). The different melting points of various fats make fractionation possible. For example, lauric acid and long-chain fatty acids have higher melting points than caprylic acid and capric acid. Therefore, they will become solid sooner when cooled. The fractionation of coconut oil is carried out by heating the oil above its melting point. Then, it’s left to cool, and the solid fraction of the oil is separated from the liquid. The whole process of fractionation can take several hours. Summary Fractionated coconut oil may help you lose weightA diet high in MCTs, the main component of fractionated coconut oil, may aid weight loss. Most studies on this effect replaced other fats in the diet with MCTs. MCTs may help you lose weight because they:
However, the amount of weight lost is generally quite modest. One review of 13 studies found that MCTs reduced body weight by an average of 1.1 pounds (0.5 kg) over three weeks, compared with other fats (10). The authors also noted that about half of these studies were funded by MCT oil producers. Therefore, there is a high risk of bias. Summary Other potential health benefitsThe MCTs in fractionated coconut oil have been associated with several other health benefits, including:
Summary Most fractionated coconut oils don’t contain lauric acidLauric acid is a major component of coconut oil. In fact, the oil comprises about 50% lauric acid and is one of the world’s richest dietary sources of this saturated fat. Lauric acid has been linked to many health benefits. It may kill harmful bacteria, viruses, and fungi while protecting against various infections (15, 16, 17). Most fractionated coconut oils do not contain any lauric acid, or only very small amounts of it. Thus, fractionated coconut oil doesn’t offer all of the health effects that regular coconut oil does. Summary How is it used?Fractionated coconut oil has been marketed under three different names. You may know it as:
Ultimately, these are the same product that has been marketed for different consumer uses. Summary Safety and side effectsConsuming fractionated coconut oil appears to be safe for most people. However, there have been reports of people experiencing digestive symptoms. These include stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting, and they seem particularly common in children on an MCT-enriched ketogenic diet (18). Although extremely rare, there have been a few cases of people with coconut and coconut oil allergy (19, 20, 21, 22). These people may experience adverse reactions when consuming fractionated coconut oil. Summary The bottom lineFractionated coconut oil is made by separating the different types of fats in regular coconut oil. What remains are two medium-chain fatty acids that may lead to modest weight loss and several other health benefits. While fractionated coconut oil may offer some benefits, it’s more processed than the regular kind. Plus, lauric acid, one of the most beneficial fats, has been removed. Can I put fractionated coconut oil on my face?Use Fractionated Coconut Oil for a powerful moisturizer that will leave your skin looking soft and smooth without clogging pores and leaving oily skin. Fractionated Coconut Oil is also a perfect facial moisturizer for sensitive skin.
Does fractionated coconut oil absorb into skin?Fractioned Coconut Oil is a light carrier oil. This makes the Fractionated Coconut Oil to be easily absorbed by the skin, and less likely to clog pores compared to Virgin Coconut Oil.
Is fractionated coconut oil good for skin and hair?Fractionated coconut oil is a natural emollient, which means that it's effective at moisturizing and softening the skin and hair. In addition to being a natural emollient, fractionated coconut oil is noncomedogenic, meaning it won't clog the pores or leave your skin or hair oily.
Which is better virgin or fractionated coconut oil?Virgin coconut oil is considered to be superior to both natural and fractionated coconut oil for several reasons: It has a longer shelf life, has a more distinctive aroma than other types of coconut oil – and it has the most natural therapeutic properties, without the addition of chemicals or a change in its properties ...
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