coconut oil???

[pbuttercwup]

I was taking a teaspoon of coconut oil and using it for the oil pulling I was doing last year. When I went to the store and bought some, my mom pointed out that it is very high in saturated fat and no other nutrients (according to the nutrition label). Why is it a good idea to take it again? what benefit could there be to taking that much sat fat in your diet? I must have been convinced at some point it was a good idea as I took it before my pregnancy and stopped due to severe morning sickness. anyone else take it here?:confused:

[northernstars]

I went to a web site by googling that focuses on coconut oil. It was quite interesting and put my mind at rest over the same thing. I had it bookmarked on my other computer which I replaced a month or so ago. I don't have that site book marked so I can't point you there. But, they did discuss the effects of the oil and how it affected the body. It was enough to put my mind at rest, anyway.

[pbuttercwup]

Because I always get such a mix of information and I do not have time with a newborn to sift through it all and figure it all out. I will do my best to get on there and see what I can find. I was hoping for a quick sum up from someoneif they had the time. thanks for the reply..I know I must have read up on it too but just cannot remember why I thought it was ok..my mom had me pretty worried as she has seriously high cholesterol and thinks I may have a genetic predisposition to that condition. If I am going to take it I will just have to make time to get some information..thanks again:)

[northernstars]

My cholesterol had been very high and most likely was a major part of the stroke I had in March 2007. I am very leary of something like that happening again so I am very careful. Now, I eat my coconut oil every day in my raw fudge and feel okay about that! I had just found the raw foods when I had the stroke an it was in no way the reason for the stroke.

[brownies]

Heres a short blurb I got from this website:http://www.westonaprice.org/knowyourfats/coconut_oil.html

"Coconut oil has a unique role in the diet as an important physiologically functional food. The health and nutritional benefits that can be derived from consuming coconut oil have been recognized in many parts of the world for centuries. Although the advantage of regular consumption of coconut oil has been underappreciated by the consumer and producer alike for the recent two or three decades, its unique benefits should be compelling for the health minded consumer of today. A review of the diet/heart disease literature relevant to coconut oil clearly indicates that coconut oil 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. Additionally, coconut oil provides a source of antimicrobial lipid for individuals with compromised immune systems and is a nonpromoting fat with respect to chemical carcinogenesis."

[les]

Because I always get such a mix of information and I do not have time with a newborn to sift through it all and figure it all out. I will do my best to get on there and see what I can find. I was hoping for a quick sum up from someoneif they had the time. thanks for the reply..I know I must have read up on it too but just cannot remember why I thought it was ok..my mom had me pretty worried as she has seriously high cholesterol and thinks I may have a genetic predisposition to that condition. If I am going to take it I will just have to make time to get some information..thanks again:)

Coconuts do not have cholesterol--they are a plant matter. So I don't think that your mom has anything to worry about re: coconuts

[cherries]

Basically, there are many different types of sat fats, coconut has the type of sat fat called medium chain tryclyceride (MCT), the same type that is in human milk. The bad sat fats are long chain triglycerides (LCT) and come from from soybean oil, corn oil, butterfat and other animal fats.

Human milk for babies has a huge amount of sat fat (http://www.personaldietplanner.com/calorie-counter/01107_calorie_counter_milk_human_mature_fluid.html )about 25 % of the calories in human milk come from sat fat, so sat fat is not all bad.

Coconut oil has similar types of fat to human milk: (http://www.regaininghealthnaturally.com/Coconut_Information/Health_Benefits_of_Coconut_Oil.shtml)
Lauric acid, which makes up 48-57% of coconut oil, becomes 2 mono-lauren in the gut. 2-mono-lauren dissolves the lipid envelope that protects most pathogenic bacteria and viruses. It also attacks pathogenic yeast and parasites. Lauric acid contained in a human mother's breast milk is one of the major reasons nursing infants have a high resistance to getting sick. Lauric acid in the diet will have the same effect, regardless of age. Its anti microbial properties have been helping people for thousands of years.

Coconut oil is so easily digestable that they put it in baby formulas and give it to people with fat assimilation problems.

Here is recipe (http://www.westonaprice.org/children/recipes.html) for baby formulas that explain that:
It is extremely important to include coconut oil in this formula as it is the only ingredient that provides the special medium-chain saturated fats found in mother's milk.

And it does NOT clog the arteries (http://www.regaininghealthnaturally.com/Coconut_Information/Health_Benefits_of_Coconut_Oil.shtml)
Since the medium chain fatty acids in coconut oil do not travel in the blood stream they have never been shown to contribute to heart disease, provided the oil has not been hydrogenated. People without gall bladders or who cannot digest food well, especially people who cannot digest fats (such as people with cystic fibrosis) can and will thrive on coconut oil.

[pbuttercwup]

thank you for all the info everyone. I knew there was a reason I was taking it before. I think I will pass on this info to my mom, maybe she should be taking it. I am wondering if anyone else can tell me the health benefits they are experiencing personally with coconut oil. That would be great to know how people are benefitting from using it. I know I felt pretty good while I was using it for the oil pulling. anyway, baby is crying, thanks again:)

[RawDrop]

I have just been taking a spoonful everyday, and a bit in my daily smoothies. I have got to tell you, my hair has never been healthier or shinier. And my skin is looking amazing! It is so soft and glowing.

It has helped me take off weight as well.

Funnily enough, YEARS AND YEARS ago, before going raw, my favorite snack was popcorn. The ingredients were popcorn, coconut oil and salt. During that year period, I lost about 30 lbs. I think it was because of all the coconut oil I was consuming with my popcorn.

There are many benefits to coconut oil.

[carolg]

Rawdrop,
Great testimony. Thanks for sharing. What's a spoonful look like you are taking? Teaspoon? Tablespoon?

All:
Your information is so valuable. Thanks. I'm trying to remember to do my smoothies as I should daily. For my hair and weight loss desires I will continue using it.

carolg