Ah, my favorite topic.

Commercial coconut oil is called RBD (refined, bleached, deodorized) in the trade. The RBD process damages most of what's good about the oil -- the lauric acid (an anti-bacterial and anti-fungal agent), the medium-chain triglycerides (the instant energy you refer to), and generally lends a bitter, burnt taste to the oil, esp., when you heat it. The deodorization process alone tortures the oil, heating it with 400-degree steam. I don't know what other nasty things happen to the oil during refining and bleaching, but if it's anything like what happens to other commercial oils (see diagram 2/3 of the way down the page), I don't want to know.

Coconut oil may or may not influence weight loss. It primary values are as (a) an anti-bacterial and anti-fungal agent (some studies have reported that it slows the progress of HIV virus as well), (b) a source of food that your body processes easily and efficiently, and (c) skin care. Here's what high-quality coconut oil (taken internally and applied externally) has done for me:

• reduction in white, dead skin around my cuticles
  reduction in hangnails
• no more "alligator elbows"
• no more dry skin on my ankles and behind my toes
• no more outbreaks of athlete’s foot
• no more sweat rashes
  eczema outbreaks are less severe and shorter (using GOOT*)
• mouth sores occur less often and heal quickly (using GOOT)
• soft lips (they've been chapped since I was a teen) when I use coconut-oil-based lip balm

*GOOT (Garlic Oil Ointment). This is made by combining 1 Tbsp of fresh chopped/mashed garlic cloves, 3 Tbsp of coconut oil and 1 Tbsp of olive oil (scale the recipe as needed). Place the mixture in a small jar and refrigerate. The olive oil is added to keep the mixture soft while refrigerated - otherwise with coconut oil alone, it would be a solid at cold temperatures. Shelf life is about one month. Apply the mixture generously daily. For best results cover the salve with gauze and hold in place with medical tape until the skin absorbs the salve.

GOOT is also good for Athlete's Foot, jock itch (same fungus as Athlete's foot), and plantar warts (may work on other warts, too).