Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

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I'm a new paleo convert and am trying to get into ketosis (again) after a slip up last night. I've been low carb for a little over a month and have slipped up at least twice a week with carb binges. They seem to get more mild each time though. So here I am again, trying to get back in to ketosis through IF and coconut oil today.

I usually know Im there when my energy level drops to nothing, my mood changes to that of a crazy lady and I want to go to bed and cry. From what I've read I'm sure it is due to the fact that I'm just not keto adapted quite yet. Especially with my trouble staying consistent thus far.

My question is, (finally)... will the use of pure MCT oil help with any of the energy issues I hve while in ketosis? I have read so much today on how people feel energized after taking it. I have never tried the oil just the coconut oil.

flag	asked Mar 28 2012 at 22:36 Hillary 91●5

	im in the exact same boat today myself couldn't of found a more relevant question to my current situation had a post drinking carb binge prob still under 100g if you add it all up but now wondering if i should eat fat or just fast without eating fat to gain faster reentry into a ketogenic state as i ve got lots of school work and my brain only functions sufficiently in ketosis on carbs its like being drunk with serotonin and highly parasympathetic nice question i voted for it.. – Lucas Mar 29 2012 at 16:35
	I decided to go ahead and fast until dinner with the exception of a Tbs of coconut oil around 3:00. That shot me right back in to ketosis and this time the energy was great! I think I might finally be becoming keto adapted because this time felt so different. I hear fasting works best as far as timing goes into ketosis but a little fat takes the edge off as well as a shot of hoodia (my little secret weapon). From my understanding, our bodies will use our own fat stores to produce ketones or the fat we eat. If this is true (remember, still learning here) then I'd rather it use my thigh fat – Hillary Mar 30 2012 at 6:03
	Besides, I do way better on appitite with IF then I do fat fasting. I neeed to make myself wait until 5ish or I'm ruined. Happens every time. So, yeah, for me-thigh fat works better than food fat :) – Hillary Mar 30 2012 at 6:06

miked · Answer 1 · 2012-03-28 22:52:43Z UTC

A little bit of googling found that coconut oil is 85% MCT, so you're not gaining much by going to "pure" MCT oil. I find that coconut butter works much better for me than coconut oil. I can eat more without upsetting my stomach and it gives me more energy.

koreancountryboy · Answer 2 · 2012-03-28 23:09:56Z UTC

I use MCT oil everyday, and I haven't had any energy problems as a VLC. I recommend it because being a liquid at room temperature, it can be used for pretty much any culinary purpose. It's also flavorless so it can assimilate other flavors easily. Good luck!

Joshua · Answer 3 · 2012-03-29 02:04:31Z UTC

A tablespoon of coconut oil (it's semi-solid at room temperature) usually "clears the fog" so to speak, when carb-flu is encountered. The bright side is that it doesn't burn out in 30 minutes like a carb rush.

That being said, it doesn't compare that much, it gives you energy and helps you get through the initial sugar withdrawal phase - but not as instant or as pronounced as sugar does.

I am a big fan of a certain yerba mate with chai spices. To that, I will add one tablespoon of coconut oil and stir it aggressively until it's no longer floating on top of the hot tea. This cuppa is outstanding and the coconut is very complementary with the chai spices.

nick3981 · Answer 4 · 2012-04-12 03:35:09Z UTC

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I dont really know about energy since im a caffine junkie, but i will tell you that i prefer coconut oil over MCT oil. The downside of cocnut oil is that it solidifies with cold food items but I will deal with that over the horrible burning feeling that i get in the stomach from MCT oil.

answered Apr 12 2012 at 3:35

nick3981
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Hrm, I don't get that feeling. I do get a transient shudder/nausea when taking a dose. – James Apr 12 2012 at 12:36

AQ808 · Answer 5 · 2012-04-12 11:13:12Z UTC

Before I really got into this I was drinking a lot of sugary drinks and eating candy. I tried to go cold turkey straight to water and restricted carbs and had immediate withdrawal symptoms. So what I did is get a granola to have a serving from in the morning and at night, while not eating any other carbs throughout the day. I did that for a week to bring my physical expectations to a consistent dependable level, and then after that reduced the amount in those two servings per day until I ran out of granola, after which I was able to choose healthy daily carbs from vegetables and some fruits.

MCT oil for energy?

5 Answers