Virgin Coconut Oil - Part 2

Some of you  sent me emails expressing concerns about the amount of saturated fat in coconut oil and wondered if this is just the latest "trend."  You may be right.  But there is more proven research now to substantiate some of the health claims.  My personal opinion is this:  Yes, more research is and needs to be done, but it is looking very positive. I am personally starting to incorporate more virgin coconut oil into our whole life, not just our diet. Primarily as a moisturizer for our skin. Already, after 24 hours I am seeing a huge difference in both my skin and the boy's skin. The skin has a healthier glow, is softer and I am hoping to see positive results regarding Noah's hives. We also smell very  yummy! I will keep you updated.

As far as using coconut oil as our primary source of oil/fat. We are not intending to do that. I have always believed in an everything in moderation philosophy, esp. in regards to trends.  I can only imagine the health risks I would have subjected my family to if I had jumped on every band wagon or health craze that has come around recently.  But, so far on this, the research is making some sense.  


Now, there are some alternatives to the oil to get similar benefits. Dried, shredded coconut is great, as is coconut milk. The milk is great for tropical smoothies!  They say that 10 oz of coconut milk a day or almost a cup of shredded coconut would be the equivalent to the 3 1/2 tablespoons of coconut oil recommended daily.  Way too much for me!  In my research, folks are noting positive change with less, if not 1/2 that amount. I also saw on Dr. Mercola's website the introduction of coconut flour.  It is supposed to be high in protein, fiber and is gluten free (for my gluten free friends).

Here is a modified exert from the book I am reading ("The Coconut Oil Miracle") regarding saturated fats.

But while coconut oil is primarily a saturated fat, it comes from a plant source, unlike fats from animal products. It is a medium chain saturated fat, as opposed to the long chain saturated fat found in meat and other foods. All fatty acids, regardless of whether they are saturated or not, affect the body differently and influence our health in different ways. Therefore, one saturated fat may have an adverse health effect, while another may promote better health.

This is also true of both mono-unsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.  For example, olive oil is hailed as a "good" fat because the people who eat it in place of other oils have proven to have less heart disease.  Olive oil is composed primarily of a mono-unsaturated fatty acid called oleic acid.  However, not all mono-unsaturated fats are healthy.  Another mono-unsaturated fatty acid, known as erucic acid, is extremely toxic to the heart, more so than perhaps any fatty acid around.  The difference between the two on a chemical level is very slight. Likewise, some polyunsaturated fatty acids can also cause problems.  But the saturated fatty acids that are found in coconut oil have been found to have no harmful effects and seem to actually promote better health.  So we cannot say one oil is "bad" because it is saturated while another is "good" because it is mono unsaturated or polyunsaturated.  It all depends on the type of fatty acid and not simply its degree of saturation.

Saturated fats are more shelf stable because they do not have missing hydrogen atoms or double-bonded carbons, unlike mono- and polyunsaturated fats. This means they are vulnerable to oxidation and free radical formation as unsaturated fats are.This is why food manufacturers have added saturated fats for years to help prevent spoilage caused by free radicals.  Manufacturers stopped the use of tropical oils in part due to overwhelming concern regarding saturated fats and due to the cost.


Introduce BAD Hydrogenated Oil.  Hydrogenation is a process where an unsaturated vegetable oil is chemically altered to form a saturated fat. We all know how bad hydrogenated oil is -- those oils have no place in our bodies because our bodies cannot process them.

During the 50's and 60's, they researched the effects of saturated fats in our diets. They were shocked to find out that saturated fats actually had a protective effect against cancer rather than a causative one - unlike processed non hydrogenated polyunsaturated oils that could promote cancer.  Polyunsaturated oils suppress our immune system and can even kill white blood cells, which are needed to fight disease. Studies show that unlike almost all other saturated fats and unsaturated oils, coconut oil does not promote the "stickiness" that leads to blood clot formation.