Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

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These days I mostly train in the morning in a fasted state (I daily do IF with 16 hours fasted 8 fed).

Recently I have started taking a tsp of coconut oil before, and noticed a bit of an energy boost during my workout.

Wondering if this is nothing more than a placebo effect, or if there is something to do this.

Anyone else try this or something similar pre workout?

I know the lean gain protocol of 10 BCAAs pre workout, but looking for more of an energy boost.

Also thinking of adding coffee to my pre-workout "meal".

flag	asked Dec 14 2011 at 22:05 pbo 2,765●3●11

	just read this article today on Health Correlator. Seems by consuming fat or carbs "tend to blunt the dramatic rise in growth hormone that is typically experienced in response to weight training." So consuming coconut oil may not be in my best interest. Instead hard boiling an egg or two, and eating the whites only (i'll save the healthy yolks for a meal later in the day), may be my best option. – pbo Dec 19 2011 at 13:57
	oh yeah here is the article: healthcorrelator.blogspot.com/2011/12/… also, having coconut oil to prolong a fast on a day i am not working out is a something I will still continue to do, since it will not cause an insulin response while still retaining the benefits of fasting (autophagy). – pbo Dec 19 2011 at 13:58

Rhubarb · Answer 1 · 2011-12-14 22:46:58Z UTC

Coconut oil is predominantly medium chain triglycerides, which the liver can metabolise very quickly to free fatty acids which can be used immediately for energy.

Whilst I haven't used coconut oil pre workout, I do know if I have a big tablespoon it does provide a bit of an energy boost to me.

Depending on your goals for IF'ing and training fasted you may be short changing yourself by consuming coconut oil before your workout rather than being in a truly fasted state. Instead of oxidising and using your own fat stores during the workout, your body will first burn through the MCT's you're providing it via the coconut oil.

Also I don't see anything wrong with coffee pre workout - caffeine is a proven performance enhancer :)

pbo · Accepted Answer · 2011-12-19 15:27:17Z UTC

Per my comment above: article from Health Correlator (http://healthcorrelator.blogspot.com/2011/12/protein-powders-before-fasted-weight.html) explains that fat or carbs pre workout will blunt the growth hormone response. So coconut oil would not be a good option. Instead a small amount of protein, around 10 grams, is better suited pre workout.

Article suggests using egg whites from hardboiled eggs as a good whole food clean source of protein pre workout.

Frank Sabia Jr · Answer 3 · 2011-12-14 23:58:12Z UTC

I have recommended to a friend dieting to try a tablespoon of coconut oil pre workout and he was doing great with it as a boost of energy. He was doing the "Anabolic Diet" and was bonking during workouts without it. So I suggested some coconut oil because of the reason stated above (how fast it is metabolized).

When I do LeanGains fasting only ever have a double shot of espresso with a splash of coconut milk pre workout and do great with that. The only time I break my fast with food is if I have to train late at nite, then as per LG protocol, I have a mini meal of about 500-700 cals mainly of protein/carbs after my fast before my late workout. After that late workout I smash a massive post workout meal with the rest of my calories for the day.

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/12/14/how-coffee-can-galvanize-your-workout/?ref=health

earthday78 · Answer 4 · 2012-01-02 02:49:44Z UTC

Instead of coffee. Try 1-2 tbs of bragg apple cider vinegar,it makes me feel like I've had a pot of coffee without the jitters and helps detox, pllace in cup of water,drink,then drink a plain glass of water making sure to rinse teeth well...

kaley · Answer 5 · 2012-02-28 01:05:23Z UTC

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be careful with apple cider vinegar - even though it has a TON of benefits, it also lowers blood pressure and blood sugar - not good for those who don't need to do either

answered Feb 28 2012 at 1:05

kaley
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Anyone Experiment With Coconut Oil Preworkout?

5 Answers