karenisraw
02-08-2006, 06:14 PM
I have seen people request articles on the benefits of coconut oil. My raw vegan doctor has posted on his website some information regarding this question. Here is a link to an article on his website that summarizes the benefits of coconut oil.
http://www.ecopolitan.com/ask-doctor-t/coconut-oil
and here is some more info from a coconut oil company article:
"Finally, a moisturizer so pure & natural, you can eat it!" - Raw Imported, Virgin Organic Coconut Butter-Oil. Absolutely the finest Organic Coconut Butter-Oil in the World!!! Direct from the pristine tropical island forests of Fiji. *Organic by the Biological Farmers of Australia (www.bfa.com.au) Unrefined, Virgin & Absolutely Raw Pure Product of Fiji - What More Could You Possibly Ask For??? Virgin Organic Coconut Butter-Oil is made using fresh *BFA Organic Coconuts. After hand opening the coconuts tough outer shell, the white coconut meat is shredded then slowly air dried to remove its naturally high water content. The meat is now ready to be pressed, producing this rich, pearl white, exquisite Virgin Organic Coconut Butter-Oil, which is immediately sealed in large containers and express shipped directly to EatRaw. No Chemicals of any kind are ever used during this *BFA Organic Process. For thousands of years Virgin Organic Coconut Butter-Oil has been applied directly to the skin as a great all-natural moisturizer and skin protector. It can be used in your hair and scalp to eliminate dandruff and help reduce split ends while adding sheen & luster. For those looking to lose weight naturally, switching to Virgin Organic Coconut Butter-Oil can help burn off unwanted pounds. Virgin Organic Coconut Butter-Oil has been used for centuries to enhance the flavor of natural foods and is also great for digestive disorders such as Crohns desease, IBS and Colits. It is a powerful agent in killing intestinal parasites. And Thyroid sufferers are finding that Virgin Organic Coconut Butter-Oil boosts the metabolism and raises body temperatures. There is exciting research showing that the MCTs (medium chain triglycerides) in coconut butter-oil act to kill Candida Albicans!!! These MCTs are also responsible for revving up metabolism and giving energy, which holds promise for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome sufferers, as well as others who need to boost their energy. It is also great as a carrier for massage oils. Virgin Organic Coconut Butter-Oil is rich in lauric acid, a proven antiviral and antibacterial agent. It is currently being used in treating symptoms of AIDS. Coconut butter-oil contains medium chain fatty acids such as lauric (C-12), caprylic (C-10) and myristic (C-14) acids. Of these three, coconut oil contains 40%+ lauric acid, which has the greater antiviral activity of these three fatty acids. Lauric acid is so disease fighting that it is present in human mothers breast milk! The body converts lauric acid to a fatty acid derivative (monolaurin), which is the substance that protects infants from viral, bacterial or protozoal infections. This was recognized and reported in 1966 (Jon Kabara). Work by Hierholzer and Kabara (1982) showed that monolaurin has virucidal effects on RNA and DNA viruses, which are surrounded by a lipid membrane. In addition to these RNA and DNA viruses, in 1978, Kabara and others reported that certain medium chain fatty acids, such as lauric acid have adverse effects on other pathogenic microorganisms, including bacteria, yeast and fungi. These fatty acids and their derivatives actually disrupt the lipid membranes of the organisms and thus inactivate them (Isaacs and Thormar 1991; Isaacs et al. 1992). This deactivation process also occurs in human and bovine milk when fatty acids are added to them (Isaacs et al. 1991). Raw Virgin Organic Coconut Butter-Oil consists of 90+% saturated fat, a very important building block of the human body. Even after one year at room temperature, coconut butter shows no evidence of rancidity even though it contains 9% linoleic (omega - 6) polyunsaturated acid. Theories hold that coconut butter may have antioxidant properties, since the oil doesnt turn rancid and since it reduces our need for vitamin E, whereas unsaturated oils deplete vitamin E. The cholesterol-lowering properties of coconut butter-oil are well documented and a direct result of its ability to stimulate thyroid function. In the presence of adequate thyroid hormone, cholesterol (specifically LDL-cholesterol) is converted by enzymatic process to the vitally necessary anti-aging steroids, pregnenolone, progesterone and DHEA. These substances are required to help prevent heart disease, senility, obesity, cancer and other diseases associated with aging and chronic degeneration. Virgin Organic Coconut Butter-Oil contains no cholesterol, no trans-fatty acids and is not hydrogenated. For thousands of years Virgin Organic Coconut Butter-Oil has been recognized as an outstanding food and a wonderful highly effective Moisturizing skin lotion. Weve bottled this extraordinary Raw Organic Coconut Butter -Oil in dark amber glass jars to protect it from long-term exposure to UV rays and preserve its freshness Just for You, Enjoy!!! Reference: Peat, Raymond, Ph.D.
MORE:
As a result of all of the misinformation which has been spread about coconut oil over the past 30 years as well as the constant media harping on the dangers of fat and cholesterol we are frequently asked the following question: "Isn't coconut oil bad for my cholesterol?"
Although this question is discussed in the various references on our "coconut info links" page, we have decided to address it here specifically for those who don't want to dig through all of the other references. For the answer to this question we quote the book, Know Your Fats, by Mary Enig, Ph.D. (Who is Mary Enig?)
"The following is an exchange in 1999 with a European-based journalist.
Question: Specifically, I would like [a] comment on the veracity and accuracy of this report, which I got off the Internet, from India's Health Education Library for People (HELP) organization. In particular, I would be interested in whether [you agree] that the MCFA v. LCFA distinction gives coconut oil the advantages in digestion that this article says it does and, if so, why experiments have shown it to increase deposits of cholesterol. THANKS...
Here is the text: "Coconut oil is rich in saturated fat, which is why it is bracketed with animal fat by many people. It should be noted that coconut oil has no cholesterol, as the latter is a component of animal fat only. However, intake of saturated fat may result in the elevation of the blood cholesterol levels. But all oils are not the same. Coconut oil is a good food, as most of its saturated fatty acids are what we call medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs). They account for nearly 64% of the fatty acids in coconut oil. It is only coconut oil and palm kernel oil, among all of the edible oils, that contain these good MCFAs.
All other vegetable oils and the animal oils contain long chain fatty acids (LCFAs).
The only exception is butterfat, with 12% short chain fatty acids. Unfortunately those who equate coconut oil with other saturated fats do not know that there are different varieties of saturated fats. Coconut oil is, therefore, different from all other oils containing saturated fatty acids. Being a MCFA oil, coconut oil has certain definite advantages over other LCFAs. The digestion of coconut oils is faster and starts almost in the mouth itself and undergoes complete digestion in the stomach and upper intestine not requiring the pancreatic juice lipase for its digestion. It also has better solubility in biological fluids, getting absorbed directly into the portal blood and carried to the liver directly to undergo rapid oxidation to release energy. Other oils and animal fats containing LCFAs need pancreatic lipase for their digestion and do not easily mix with biological fluids, and so are absorbed after being re-esterified inside the intestinal cells into triglycerides. They are first incorporated into large insoluble particles called chylomicrons by the intestinal cells. These then go to the liver via the lymphatics and the circulatory system, thereby going round all parts of the body before going to the liver for final oxidation. They are, therefore, more likely to get deposited as fats and also change the blood fat content. Coconut oil, therefore, does not produce any significant change in the circulating VLDL [very low density lipoprotein], which is supposed to be bad for vessel thickening. (Emphasis ours.)
(Dr. Kritchevsky at Wistar told me that their experiments with mice did show coconut oil to increase deposits...) Because of the above advantages, coconut oil is preferred as a medicinal oil in cooking for people who have bad digestion and also in infant feeds to supply fat content. **The addition of coconut oil to infant feeds helps absorption of calcium and magnesium and could help treat rickets in poor nations of the world.** TRUE? Another distinct feature of coconut oil is that it has 2.56% less calories per gramme of fat than all other LCFA oils."
Answer: I have your request for information forwarded to me by ... Eating real coconut oil does not cause cholesterol deposits; it never did and it never will. (Emphasis ours.) The mouse work done by Kritchevsky and others was done using EFA [essential fatty acid] deficient hydrogenated coconut oil; this is not the food oil eaten all over the world. Yes, coconut oil does provide fewer calories because of its high content (65%) of medium chain fatty acids, and yes they are more readily digested than the long chain fatty acids. Coconut oil is added to infant formulas to try to duplicate human milk; the lauric acid provides antimicrobial support and the absorption of minerals is enhanced."
For those interested in, or concerned about cholesterol in general I would recommend visiting the site referenced below in order to get some information from a party which is not (directly or indirectly) trying to sell you cholesterol medication.
The International Network of Cholesterol Skeptics The International Network of Cholesterol Skeptics (THINCS) is a steadily growing group of scientists, physicians, other academicians and science writers from various countries. Members of this group represent different views about the causation of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease, some of them are in conflict with others, but this is a normal part of Science. What we all oppose is that animal fat and high cholesterol play a role. The aim with this web site is to inform our colleagues and the public that this idea is not supported by scientific evidence; in fact, for many years a huge number of scientific studies have directly contradicted it. visit THINCS
AND MORE:
Volume 2, Issue 7, Article 2, August 2001
Coconut Oil is the Healthiest Oil on Earth!
by Brian Shilhavy
"Coconut oil is the healthiest oil on earth" says Dr. Bruce Fife, a naturopathic doctor and the author of the book The Healing Miracles of Coconut Oil.
Modern research seems to back up this bold statement. Once wrongly accused of increasing cholesterol levels, coconut oil is now actually being used by doctors in the treatment of a variety of disorders. Clinical studies have shown that coconut oil has anti-microbial and anti-viral properties, and is now even being used in treating AIDS patients. Studies conducted in the Philippines last year showed that coconut oil does indeed reduce the viral load in AIDS patients.
Lauric Acid a Key Component to Health
Lauric acid is a medium chain fatty acid which is abundant in coconut oil, and considered responsible for many of its health benefits. Coconut oil is about 50% lauric acid. The only other abundant source found in nature is in human breast milk. Dr. Jon J. Kabara, PhD and Professor Emeritus of Michigan State University says, "Never before in the history of man is it so important to emphasize the value of Lauric Oils. The medium-chain fats in coconut oil are similar to fats in mother's milk and have similar nutriceutical effects."
See: HEALTH OILS FROM THE TREE OF LIFE (NUTRITIONAL AND HEALTH ASPECTS OF COCONUT OIL) at www.apcc.org.sg/John.PDF
Dr. Mary Enig, a Ph.D. nutritionist/biochemist and one of the world's leading authorities on fats and oils, goes on to say, "Approximately 50% of the fatty acids in coconut fat are lauric acid. Lauric acid is a medium chain fatty acid, which has the additional beneficial function of being formed into monolaurin in the human or animal body. Monolaurin is the antiviral, antibacterial, and antiprotozoal monoglyceride used by the human or animal to destroy lipid coated viruses such as HIV, herpes, cytomegalovirus, influenza, various pathogenic bacteria including listeria monocytogenes and heliobacter pylori, and protozoa such as giardia lamblia. Some studies have also shown some antimicrobial effects of the free lauric acid."
See Coconut: In Support of Good Health in the 21st Century at
www.apcc.org.sg/special.htm
The Politics of Tropical Oils
So why has coconut oil gotten such a bad rap in the recent past? After all, much of the research supporting coconut oil as a healthy fat has been around for some time. The answer is politics and economics. Coconut oil was heavily used in the US at one time, being used for baking, pastries, frying, and theater popcorn. But starting in the 1980s some very powerful groups in the US, including the American Soybean Association (ASA), the Corn Products Company (CPC International) and the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), began to categorically condemn all saturated oils. Faulty science was used to convince the public that ALL saturated fats were unhealthy, when in fact saturated fats rich in the medium chain fatty acids, like lauric acid, are very healthy.
These organizations were/are aided by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), many of whose key personnel are recruited from and return to the vegetable oil industry.
The result was that most people switched to vegetable oils, and the main source of lauric acid from tropical oils in the American diet was lost. The countries that these tropical oils came from, mainly the Philippines and Malaysia, were too poor to counter these untrue claims with advertising investments for the truth. It is only recently that the health benefits of these tropical oils are starting to become rediscovered. Much of the research can be found on the www.coconut-info.com website.
Population Studies
While some clinical studies have been conducted recently, like the study on AIDS patients in the Philippines (1999 - 2000), much of the studies have been done on tropical populations where coconut products are a main part of the diet.
One such study was done in the South Pacific islands of Pukapuka and Tokelau near New Zealand. The studies were started in the 1960s before either island was exposed to Western refined food. These populations ate only natural foods, and coconut foods were the most prevalent, being consumed at each meal in one form or another.
While most people in western countries get 30-40 percent of their calories from fats, the people in these islands averaged between 50 and 60 percent of their calories from fat, most of that being saturated fat from coconuts.
So what kind of health did these studies find among the populations in these two islands?
Bruce Fife reports in his book: "The overall health of both groups was extremely good compared to Western standards. There were no signs of kidney disease or hypothyroidism that might influence fat levels. There was no hypercholesterolemia (high blood cholesterol). All inhabitants were lean and healthy despite a very high saturated-fat diet. In fact, the populations as a whole had ideal weight-to-height ratios as compared to the Body Mass Index figures used by nutritionists. Digestive problems are rare. Constipation is uncommon. They average two or more bowel movements a day. Atherosclerosis, heart disease, colitis, colon cancer, hemorrhoids ulcers, diverticulosis, and appendicitis are conditions with which they are generally unfamiliar." (The Healing Miracles of Coconut Oil)
A fat that causes weight loss??
Another incredible fact about coconut oil is that even though it is a fat, it actually promotes weight loss!! The reason is again because of the healthy medium chain fatty acids. These fatty acids do not circulate in the bloodstream like other fats, but are sent directly to the liver where they are immediately converted into energy, just like carbohydrates. So the body uses the fat in coconut oil to produce energy, rather than be stored as body fat.
Medium chain fatty acids found in coconut oil also speed up the body's metabolism burning more calories and promoting weight loss. The weight-loss effects of coconut oil have clearly been demonstrated by many researchers. (There are a list of references in Bruce Fife's book The Healing Miracles of Coconut Oil.)
Therapeutic Dosage
So how much coconut oil should one consume?
A good therapeutic dosage is 3 to 4 tablespoons a day. This provides enough lauric acid to build the immune system.
Also, look for unrefined coconut oil. Stay away from all hydrogenated oils, whether it is coconut oil or vegetable oils. Hydrogenated oils are oils with trans fatty acids, which have been altered from their original chemical composition, and have been shown to raise serum cholesterol levels that can lead to heart disease. Also look for unrefined coconut oils, like Virgin Coconut Oil. Most commercial coconut oils are RBD (refined, bleached, and deodorized). While these RBD oils do maintain the beneficial chemical structures of the medium chain fatty acids, they also contain chemicals used in processing.
Summary
If you are interested in learning about all the other wonderful health benefits of coconut oil, go to the www.coconut-info.com website and read the research. There is also a discussion list you can join and interact with some of the world's best authorities on coconut oil, including Dr. Mary Enig, Dr. Bruce Fife, and many others who have done research or experienced first hand the wonderful healing properties of coconut oil so that we can say, "Coconut oil is the healthiest oil on earth!"
About the author: Brian Shilhavy is a Certified Nutritional Counselor (CNC), is the president of Mt. Banahaw Health Products Corporation , and is the owner of the coconut-info.com website and discussion list.
Enjoy
k
:p :p :D
http://www.ecopolitan.com/ask-doctor-t/coconut-oil
and here is some more info from a coconut oil company article:
"Finally, a moisturizer so pure & natural, you can eat it!" - Raw Imported, Virgin Organic Coconut Butter-Oil. Absolutely the finest Organic Coconut Butter-Oil in the World!!! Direct from the pristine tropical island forests of Fiji. *Organic by the Biological Farmers of Australia (www.bfa.com.au) Unrefined, Virgin & Absolutely Raw Pure Product of Fiji - What More Could You Possibly Ask For??? Virgin Organic Coconut Butter-Oil is made using fresh *BFA Organic Coconuts. After hand opening the coconuts tough outer shell, the white coconut meat is shredded then slowly air dried to remove its naturally high water content. The meat is now ready to be pressed, producing this rich, pearl white, exquisite Virgin Organic Coconut Butter-Oil, which is immediately sealed in large containers and express shipped directly to EatRaw. No Chemicals of any kind are ever used during this *BFA Organic Process. For thousands of years Virgin Organic Coconut Butter-Oil has been applied directly to the skin as a great all-natural moisturizer and skin protector. It can be used in your hair and scalp to eliminate dandruff and help reduce split ends while adding sheen & luster. For those looking to lose weight naturally, switching to Virgin Organic Coconut Butter-Oil can help burn off unwanted pounds. Virgin Organic Coconut Butter-Oil has been used for centuries to enhance the flavor of natural foods and is also great for digestive disorders such as Crohns desease, IBS and Colits. It is a powerful agent in killing intestinal parasites. And Thyroid sufferers are finding that Virgin Organic Coconut Butter-Oil boosts the metabolism and raises body temperatures. There is exciting research showing that the MCTs (medium chain triglycerides) in coconut butter-oil act to kill Candida Albicans!!! These MCTs are also responsible for revving up metabolism and giving energy, which holds promise for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome sufferers, as well as others who need to boost their energy. It is also great as a carrier for massage oils. Virgin Organic Coconut Butter-Oil is rich in lauric acid, a proven antiviral and antibacterial agent. It is currently being used in treating symptoms of AIDS. Coconut butter-oil contains medium chain fatty acids such as lauric (C-12), caprylic (C-10) and myristic (C-14) acids. Of these three, coconut oil contains 40%+ lauric acid, which has the greater antiviral activity of these three fatty acids. Lauric acid is so disease fighting that it is present in human mothers breast milk! The body converts lauric acid to a fatty acid derivative (monolaurin), which is the substance that protects infants from viral, bacterial or protozoal infections. This was recognized and reported in 1966 (Jon Kabara). Work by Hierholzer and Kabara (1982) showed that monolaurin has virucidal effects on RNA and DNA viruses, which are surrounded by a lipid membrane. In addition to these RNA and DNA viruses, in 1978, Kabara and others reported that certain medium chain fatty acids, such as lauric acid have adverse effects on other pathogenic microorganisms, including bacteria, yeast and fungi. These fatty acids and their derivatives actually disrupt the lipid membranes of the organisms and thus inactivate them (Isaacs and Thormar 1991; Isaacs et al. 1992). This deactivation process also occurs in human and bovine milk when fatty acids are added to them (Isaacs et al. 1991). Raw Virgin Organic Coconut Butter-Oil consists of 90+% saturated fat, a very important building block of the human body. Even after one year at room temperature, coconut butter shows no evidence of rancidity even though it contains 9% linoleic (omega - 6) polyunsaturated acid. Theories hold that coconut butter may have antioxidant properties, since the oil doesnt turn rancid and since it reduces our need for vitamin E, whereas unsaturated oils deplete vitamin E. The cholesterol-lowering properties of coconut butter-oil are well documented and a direct result of its ability to stimulate thyroid function. In the presence of adequate thyroid hormone, cholesterol (specifically LDL-cholesterol) is converted by enzymatic process to the vitally necessary anti-aging steroids, pregnenolone, progesterone and DHEA. These substances are required to help prevent heart disease, senility, obesity, cancer and other diseases associated with aging and chronic degeneration. Virgin Organic Coconut Butter-Oil contains no cholesterol, no trans-fatty acids and is not hydrogenated. For thousands of years Virgin Organic Coconut Butter-Oil has been recognized as an outstanding food and a wonderful highly effective Moisturizing skin lotion. Weve bottled this extraordinary Raw Organic Coconut Butter -Oil in dark amber glass jars to protect it from long-term exposure to UV rays and preserve its freshness Just for You, Enjoy!!! Reference: Peat, Raymond, Ph.D.
MORE:
As a result of all of the misinformation which has been spread about coconut oil over the past 30 years as well as the constant media harping on the dangers of fat and cholesterol we are frequently asked the following question: "Isn't coconut oil bad for my cholesterol?"
Although this question is discussed in the various references on our "coconut info links" page, we have decided to address it here specifically for those who don't want to dig through all of the other references. For the answer to this question we quote the book, Know Your Fats, by Mary Enig, Ph.D. (Who is Mary Enig?)
"The following is an exchange in 1999 with a European-based journalist.
Question: Specifically, I would like [a] comment on the veracity and accuracy of this report, which I got off the Internet, from India's Health Education Library for People (HELP) organization. In particular, I would be interested in whether [you agree] that the MCFA v. LCFA distinction gives coconut oil the advantages in digestion that this article says it does and, if so, why experiments have shown it to increase deposits of cholesterol. THANKS...
Here is the text: "Coconut oil is rich in saturated fat, which is why it is bracketed with animal fat by many people. It should be noted that coconut oil has no cholesterol, as the latter is a component of animal fat only. However, intake of saturated fat may result in the elevation of the blood cholesterol levels. But all oils are not the same. Coconut oil is a good food, as most of its saturated fatty acids are what we call medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs). They account for nearly 64% of the fatty acids in coconut oil. It is only coconut oil and palm kernel oil, among all of the edible oils, that contain these good MCFAs.
All other vegetable oils and the animal oils contain long chain fatty acids (LCFAs).
The only exception is butterfat, with 12% short chain fatty acids. Unfortunately those who equate coconut oil with other saturated fats do not know that there are different varieties of saturated fats. Coconut oil is, therefore, different from all other oils containing saturated fatty acids. Being a MCFA oil, coconut oil has certain definite advantages over other LCFAs. The digestion of coconut oils is faster and starts almost in the mouth itself and undergoes complete digestion in the stomach and upper intestine not requiring the pancreatic juice lipase for its digestion. It also has better solubility in biological fluids, getting absorbed directly into the portal blood and carried to the liver directly to undergo rapid oxidation to release energy. Other oils and animal fats containing LCFAs need pancreatic lipase for their digestion and do not easily mix with biological fluids, and so are absorbed after being re-esterified inside the intestinal cells into triglycerides. They are first incorporated into large insoluble particles called chylomicrons by the intestinal cells. These then go to the liver via the lymphatics and the circulatory system, thereby going round all parts of the body before going to the liver for final oxidation. They are, therefore, more likely to get deposited as fats and also change the blood fat content. Coconut oil, therefore, does not produce any significant change in the circulating VLDL [very low density lipoprotein], which is supposed to be bad for vessel thickening. (Emphasis ours.)
(Dr. Kritchevsky at Wistar told me that their experiments with mice did show coconut oil to increase deposits...) Because of the above advantages, coconut oil is preferred as a medicinal oil in cooking for people who have bad digestion and also in infant feeds to supply fat content. **The addition of coconut oil to infant feeds helps absorption of calcium and magnesium and could help treat rickets in poor nations of the world.** TRUE? Another distinct feature of coconut oil is that it has 2.56% less calories per gramme of fat than all other LCFA oils."
Answer: I have your request for information forwarded to me by ... Eating real coconut oil does not cause cholesterol deposits; it never did and it never will. (Emphasis ours.) The mouse work done by Kritchevsky and others was done using EFA [essential fatty acid] deficient hydrogenated coconut oil; this is not the food oil eaten all over the world. Yes, coconut oil does provide fewer calories because of its high content (65%) of medium chain fatty acids, and yes they are more readily digested than the long chain fatty acids. Coconut oil is added to infant formulas to try to duplicate human milk; the lauric acid provides antimicrobial support and the absorption of minerals is enhanced."
For those interested in, or concerned about cholesterol in general I would recommend visiting the site referenced below in order to get some information from a party which is not (directly or indirectly) trying to sell you cholesterol medication.
The International Network of Cholesterol Skeptics The International Network of Cholesterol Skeptics (THINCS) is a steadily growing group of scientists, physicians, other academicians and science writers from various countries. Members of this group represent different views about the causation of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease, some of them are in conflict with others, but this is a normal part of Science. What we all oppose is that animal fat and high cholesterol play a role. The aim with this web site is to inform our colleagues and the public that this idea is not supported by scientific evidence; in fact, for many years a huge number of scientific studies have directly contradicted it. visit THINCS
AND MORE:
Volume 2, Issue 7, Article 2, August 2001
Coconut Oil is the Healthiest Oil on Earth!
by Brian Shilhavy
"Coconut oil is the healthiest oil on earth" says Dr. Bruce Fife, a naturopathic doctor and the author of the book The Healing Miracles of Coconut Oil.
Modern research seems to back up this bold statement. Once wrongly accused of increasing cholesterol levels, coconut oil is now actually being used by doctors in the treatment of a variety of disorders. Clinical studies have shown that coconut oil has anti-microbial and anti-viral properties, and is now even being used in treating AIDS patients. Studies conducted in the Philippines last year showed that coconut oil does indeed reduce the viral load in AIDS patients.
Lauric Acid a Key Component to Health
Lauric acid is a medium chain fatty acid which is abundant in coconut oil, and considered responsible for many of its health benefits. Coconut oil is about 50% lauric acid. The only other abundant source found in nature is in human breast milk. Dr. Jon J. Kabara, PhD and Professor Emeritus of Michigan State University says, "Never before in the history of man is it so important to emphasize the value of Lauric Oils. The medium-chain fats in coconut oil are similar to fats in mother's milk and have similar nutriceutical effects."
See: HEALTH OILS FROM THE TREE OF LIFE (NUTRITIONAL AND HEALTH ASPECTS OF COCONUT OIL) at www.apcc.org.sg/John.PDF
Dr. Mary Enig, a Ph.D. nutritionist/biochemist and one of the world's leading authorities on fats and oils, goes on to say, "Approximately 50% of the fatty acids in coconut fat are lauric acid. Lauric acid is a medium chain fatty acid, which has the additional beneficial function of being formed into monolaurin in the human or animal body. Monolaurin is the antiviral, antibacterial, and antiprotozoal monoglyceride used by the human or animal to destroy lipid coated viruses such as HIV, herpes, cytomegalovirus, influenza, various pathogenic bacteria including listeria monocytogenes and heliobacter pylori, and protozoa such as giardia lamblia. Some studies have also shown some antimicrobial effects of the free lauric acid."
See Coconut: In Support of Good Health in the 21st Century at
www.apcc.org.sg/special.htm
The Politics of Tropical Oils
So why has coconut oil gotten such a bad rap in the recent past? After all, much of the research supporting coconut oil as a healthy fat has been around for some time. The answer is politics and economics. Coconut oil was heavily used in the US at one time, being used for baking, pastries, frying, and theater popcorn. But starting in the 1980s some very powerful groups in the US, including the American Soybean Association (ASA), the Corn Products Company (CPC International) and the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), began to categorically condemn all saturated oils. Faulty science was used to convince the public that ALL saturated fats were unhealthy, when in fact saturated fats rich in the medium chain fatty acids, like lauric acid, are very healthy.
These organizations were/are aided by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), many of whose key personnel are recruited from and return to the vegetable oil industry.
The result was that most people switched to vegetable oils, and the main source of lauric acid from tropical oils in the American diet was lost. The countries that these tropical oils came from, mainly the Philippines and Malaysia, were too poor to counter these untrue claims with advertising investments for the truth. It is only recently that the health benefits of these tropical oils are starting to become rediscovered. Much of the research can be found on the www.coconut-info.com website.
Population Studies
While some clinical studies have been conducted recently, like the study on AIDS patients in the Philippines (1999 - 2000), much of the studies have been done on tropical populations where coconut products are a main part of the diet.
One such study was done in the South Pacific islands of Pukapuka and Tokelau near New Zealand. The studies were started in the 1960s before either island was exposed to Western refined food. These populations ate only natural foods, and coconut foods were the most prevalent, being consumed at each meal in one form or another.
While most people in western countries get 30-40 percent of their calories from fats, the people in these islands averaged between 50 and 60 percent of their calories from fat, most of that being saturated fat from coconuts.
So what kind of health did these studies find among the populations in these two islands?
Bruce Fife reports in his book: "The overall health of both groups was extremely good compared to Western standards. There were no signs of kidney disease or hypothyroidism that might influence fat levels. There was no hypercholesterolemia (high blood cholesterol). All inhabitants were lean and healthy despite a very high saturated-fat diet. In fact, the populations as a whole had ideal weight-to-height ratios as compared to the Body Mass Index figures used by nutritionists. Digestive problems are rare. Constipation is uncommon. They average two or more bowel movements a day. Atherosclerosis, heart disease, colitis, colon cancer, hemorrhoids ulcers, diverticulosis, and appendicitis are conditions with which they are generally unfamiliar." (The Healing Miracles of Coconut Oil)
A fat that causes weight loss??
Another incredible fact about coconut oil is that even though it is a fat, it actually promotes weight loss!! The reason is again because of the healthy medium chain fatty acids. These fatty acids do not circulate in the bloodstream like other fats, but are sent directly to the liver where they are immediately converted into energy, just like carbohydrates. So the body uses the fat in coconut oil to produce energy, rather than be stored as body fat.
Medium chain fatty acids found in coconut oil also speed up the body's metabolism burning more calories and promoting weight loss. The weight-loss effects of coconut oil have clearly been demonstrated by many researchers. (There are a list of references in Bruce Fife's book The Healing Miracles of Coconut Oil.)
Therapeutic Dosage
So how much coconut oil should one consume?
A good therapeutic dosage is 3 to 4 tablespoons a day. This provides enough lauric acid to build the immune system.
Also, look for unrefined coconut oil. Stay away from all hydrogenated oils, whether it is coconut oil or vegetable oils. Hydrogenated oils are oils with trans fatty acids, which have been altered from their original chemical composition, and have been shown to raise serum cholesterol levels that can lead to heart disease. Also look for unrefined coconut oils, like Virgin Coconut Oil. Most commercial coconut oils are RBD (refined, bleached, and deodorized). While these RBD oils do maintain the beneficial chemical structures of the medium chain fatty acids, they also contain chemicals used in processing.
Summary
If you are interested in learning about all the other wonderful health benefits of coconut oil, go to the www.coconut-info.com website and read the research. There is also a discussion list you can join and interact with some of the world's best authorities on coconut oil, including Dr. Mary Enig, Dr. Bruce Fife, and many others who have done research or experienced first hand the wonderful healing properties of coconut oil so that we can say, "Coconut oil is the healthiest oil on earth!"
About the author: Brian Shilhavy is a Certified Nutritional Counselor (CNC), is the president of Mt. Banahaw Health Products Corporation , and is the owner of the coconut-info.com website and discussion list.
Enjoy
k
:p :p :D