Virgin Coconut Oil

[RCA]

I've been reading great things about Virgin Coconut Oil. Has anyone had good experiences with it before?

[cradle2graveconservative]

Is there a particular purpose you had in mind for the oil?

I've only ever heard of it acting as a source of fats in situations where it isn't otherwise available.

That being said, I've eaten foods fried in coconut oil and they are quite delicious so if that's your goal, by all means, go nuts (pun intended, even though I'm pretty sure they're not nuts.)

[Zippyjuan]

How do you know if a coconut is a virgin?

Coconut oil is a saturated fat- similar to the ones in regular butter- which you are supposed to consume in moderation I thought.
From Wiki:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coconut_oil

A study into the effects of a "diet rich in.." medium-chain fatty acids (such as in coconut oil and butter), concluded that "MCFAs in the form of MCTs significantly increased plasma triacylglycerol and LDL-cholesterol concentrations and the ratio of LDL to HDL cholesterol and thereby resulted in a less beneficial lipid profile overall."[9]

Further, research done by nutritionist Mary Enig has found that non-hydrogenated coconut oil (ie. extra-virgin) consumed in moderate amounts "is at worst neutral with respect to atherogenicity of fats and oils and, in fact, is likely to be a beneficial oil for prevention and treatment of some heart disease."[10]

HDL is the "good" form of cholesterol.

http://www.healthcastle.com/coconut-...ed-heart.shtml

Saturated Fat in Coconut Oil is bad for your heart
Written by Gloria Tsang, RD
Published in August 2006

Study showed saturated fat in coconut oil impaired anti-inflammatory ability of HDL cholesterol
Researchers from the Heart Research Institute in Australia studied the body response from eating meals containing good fats versus bad fats. Participants were fed with meals prepared with either coconut oil (high in "bad" saturated fats) or safflower oil (high in "good" polyunsaturated fats). After only 3 hours, researchers found the participants fed with the coconut meal high in saturated fat had a significantly reduced blood flow due to arteries' reduced ability to expand. After 6 hours, researchers found that the good high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol's anti-inflammatory properties had decreased after the saturated coconut meal, but improved after the polyunsaturated safflower meal. The results of this study were published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology in August 2006.

Editor's Note - Saturated Fat is bad, regardless of source.
This study once again shows how good fats may improve body functions while bad fats hamper our health. Despite its extreme high level of saturated fat, coconut oil supporters have been promoting coconut oil as a health food. They claimed that coconut oil can cause weight loss, lower blood cholesterol, and is a germ fighter. It is true the structure of some of the saturated fats in coconut oil is different from other saturated fats, but it is scientifically farfetched to claim it as health food to be eaten every day. Like any other foods, moderation is the key.

Saturated fats are mainly found in animal products such as meat, dairy, eggs and seafood. Some plant foods are also high in saturated fats such as coconut, palm oil and palm kernel oil. Although this study is small, it showed that just one "bad" meal can do damage.

[squarepusher]

lol. I've been using coconut oil for about 6 years, and i swear by it. looks like some people in ths forum have been caught up in a bit of medical pseudo science


heres a read for anyone skeptical

http://www.amazon.com/Saturated-Fat-.../dp/0941599493

[cradle2graveconservative]

Originally Posted by squarepusher

looks like some people in ths forum have been caught up in a bit of medical pseudo science


heres a read for anyone skeptical

http://www.amazon.com/Saturated-Fat-.../dp/0941599493

Oh the irony...

HDL and LDL are NOT types of cholesterol; they are cholesterol transporters.

A la Wikipedia "Medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA) are fatty acids with aliphatic tails of 6–12 [13] carbons, which can form medium-chain triglycerides."

I suppose it's not unusual then that their ingestion isn't necessarily beneficial. The human body [read: fatty acid sythase] is quite capable of making fatty acids up to 16 carbons long. With that in mind, it really isn't necessary to consume MCFA over SCFA but I don't quite understand why the body couldn't simply use MCFA has a step up in terms of elongation.

That being the case, I'd say stick with extra virgin olive oil as far as health benefits go.

[axiomata]

What you and your virgin coconut oil do in the privacy of your bedroom is none of my business.

[squarepusher]

Originally Posted by cradle2graveconservative

Oh the irony...

HDL and LDL are NOT types of cholesterol; they are cholesterol transporters.

A la Wikipedia "Medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA) are fatty acids with aliphatic tails of 6–12 [13] carbons, which can form medium-chain triglycerides."

I suppose it's not unusual then that their ingestion isn't necessarily beneficial. The human body [read: fatty acid sythase] is quite capable of making fatty acids up to 16 carbons long. With that in mind, it really isn't necessary to consume MCFA over SCFA but I don't quite understand why the body couldn't simply use MCFA has a step up in terms of elongation.

That being the case, I'd say stick with extra virgin olive oil as far as health benefits go.

Coconut oil is the best oil to cook with since it is stable at high temperatures, unlike olive oil or others which are not suited for cooking.

SCFA's are good, but very rare to find in diets normally.

Also, the fats-are-bad message we started in the late 70's and continued since then, has had the opposite effect on our national heath and weight. We literally have multiple epidemics of diabetes, obesity, heart disease, cancer and strokes all under 'low fat/low saturated fat' advice.

Coconut oil is also anti-fungal, anti-yeast, anti-microbial, is used quickly and efficiently for energy (not stored).

Atkins and low carbohydrate/high fat diets are proof that saturated fats are not harmful, and improve markers of cardiovascular health, although they are by no means ideals diets in my book as being not completely nutritionally, and often inflammatory if not balanced correctly.


Sugar, and vegetable oils are the real enemies to health, not saturated fats or coconut oil.

EVO is a great choice for eating as well, preferably unheated.

[Zippyjuan]

Also, the fats-are-bad message we started in the late 70's and continued since then, has had the opposite effect on our national heath and weight. We literally have multiple epidemics of diabetes, obesity, heart disease, cancer and strokes all under 'low fat/low saturated fat' advice.

You are assuming that the average person is following that advice. Most do not and that is why we have the obesity problems today. McDonalds and Coke have replaced home cooking done with fresh ingredients or drinking just water or juices or milk. I was shocked to learn that there is not a single grocery store in Detroit- people eat 90% + fast food there.
True olive oil is not good for cooking at higher temperatures but peanut oil is.

The Atkins diet was modified on its suggested intake of saturated fats to limit them to 20% of calories around 2004. Even they do not say eat as much saturated fats as you want. They suggested you divide your fats into thirds- saturated, monosaturated, and polysaturated- not just saturated fats. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/467440

Atkins never did -- and still does not -- prescribe amounts of fats or protein, Dr. Trager explained. "Instead, we teach people to be aware of and control carbohydrate consumption. When we eat a variety of protein sources and fats to satiate hunger, we eat less because the food tastes good and is filling. Without portion restriction, this has been shown to result in weight loss."

Do the Math

The 20% identified in the Times article was derived from meal plans and recipes in Atkins books, he said. In fact, during the diet's induction phase, people typically consume up to 60% of calories from fat.

If 60% is divided into thirds -- to reflect the variety of monounsaturated, polyunsaturated, and saturated fats that Atkins espouses -- 20% calories would be from saturated fat.

"It's important and worth recognizing that both steak and eggs are a balance of fats," Dr. Trager told Medscape. "In a porterhouse steak, saturated fat makes up 17% of total fat. In an egg, including the yolk, saturated fat is only 18% of total fat."

Read the Books

The Atkins diet is vastly misunderstood, Dr. Trager said. "Atkins has never been, as the media and opponents would have people believe, a red-meat diet," he said. "We need to spend less time criticizing individual nutrition strategies and more attention in defeating obesity. Weight loss solutions aren't one-size-fits-all."

However, "an awful lot of people who follow these high-protein/low-carb plans haven't read the books," said Cindy Moore, MS, RD, director of nutrition therapy at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Ohio. She is also a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association.

"What they've gleaned from magazines or newspapers or pictures is what they think the diet is — a double cheeseburger without the bun, with extra bacon and cheese," Ms. Moore told Medscape.

Nevertheless, the blanket prescription to eat all the protein and fats you want is what gets patients into trouble — it's just not healthy, she added.

Coconut oil does seem to have its benefits and good properties, but it is still a saturated fat and like other saturated fats can be enjoyed as part of a healthy diet- in moderation. It just probably should not be your primary source of oil or fats. Sugars and man- modified oils (trans fats or hydrogenated oils) should definately be kept at low levels as well. I would not lump all vegetable oils in with the hydrogenated ones. When New York tried to improve the health of their citizens by banning trans fats from resturaunts they may or may not have helped people- if the oils were replaced by saturated fats like lard or butter, they are not that much healthier. If they were replaced by things like peanut or canola or olive oil, then these would be better alternatives.

Not sure what you mean by EVO. Extra Virgin Olive oil perhaps? My oil of choice. I doubt it was this: http://www.naturapet.com/brands/evo.asp Hehe.

[squarepusher]

Originally Posted by Zippyjuan

You are assuming that the average person is following that advice. Most do not and that is why we have the obesity problems today. McDonalds and Coke have replaced home cooking done with fresh ingredients or drinking just water or juices or milk. I was shocked to learn that there is not a single grocery store in Detroit- people eat 90% + fast food there.
True olive oil is not good for cooking at higher temperatures but peanut oil is.

they do, America has decreased its fat intake since the 1970's based on FDA's suggestions.

Originally Posted by Zippyjuan

The Atkins diet was modified on its suggested intake of saturated fats to limit them to 20% of calories around 2004. Even they do not say eat as much saturated fats as you want. They suggested you divide your fats into thirds- saturated, monosaturated, and polysaturated- not just saturated fats. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/467440

Coconut oil does seem to have its benefits and good properties, but it is still a saturated fat and like other saturated fats can be enjoyed as part of a healthy diet- in moderation. It just probably should not be your primary source of oil or fats. Sugars and man- modified oils (trans fats or hydrogenated oils) should definately be kept at low levels as well. I would not lump all vegetable oils in with the hydrogenated ones. When New York tried to improve the health of their citizens by banning trans fats from resturaunts they may or may not have helped people- if the oils were replaced by saturated fats like lard or butter, they are not that much healthier. If they were replaced by things like peanut or canola or olive oil, then these would be better alternatives.

Not sure what you mean by EVO. Extra Virgin Olive oil perhaps? My oil of choice. I doubt it was this: http://www.naturapet.com/brands/evo.asp Hehe.

yes EVO is extra virgin olive oil which is strongly healthful. I would be willing to look at evidence that sat fat is harmful if it exists.

This book at Amazon I would say now I am largely in agreement with
http://www.amazon.com/Saturated-Fat-.../dp/0941599493

[Zippyjuan]

Originally Posted by squarepusher

lol. I've been using coconut oil for about 6 years, and i swear by it. looks like some people in ths forum have been caught up in a bit of medical pseudo science


heres a read for anyone skeptical

http://www.amazon.com/Saturated-Fat-.../dp/0941599493

SO if I eat ice cream every day instead of salads with olive oil dressing on them will live longer and be healthier? "Saturated Fats May Save Your Life"? True you do need to consume some fats to survive but they should not be a dominant portion of your diet. Moderation is the key.