Coconut oil is made from the flesh of mature coconuts after they have turned brown and woody on the outside. The thick white coconut meat is processed into coconut oil, which is then used for cooking and, in some cases, topical treatments for skin and hair. Coconut oil is rich in
healthy fatty acids, which may help increase endurance and reduce levels of body fat. Because of this, athletes sometimes take it as a supplement.
Coconut oil is rich in lauric acid, a medium-chain triglyceride, or MCT, which is a type of fatty acid that may have numerous health benefits. MCTs are easily digested by the body, which uses them as a form of direct energy because they are so easily absorbed and processed. According to NYU Langone Medical Center, coconut oil contains up to 15 percent MCTs. When taking MCTs as a supplement for athletic performance, the recommended dosage, according to the medical center, is 85 milligrams a day.
