Coconut Oil, Good or Bad?

There is a lot of hype over Coconut Oil and for good reason.  It is a source of antioxidants which can help reduce the risk of certain diseases, but also contains fats.  You have probably heard the saying, "not all fats are created equal."  Coconut Oil is primarily a saturated fat, in fact around 84% of its calories come from Saturated Fat --- which could be a concern considered if eating it.  However, there is more to it than that...

"Coconut oil’s saturated fat is made up mostly of Medium-Chain Triglycerides, or MCTs. Some people say your body handles them differently than the longer-chain fats in liquid vegetable oils, dairy, and fatty meats... Fans of coconut oil point to studies that suggest the MCT-saturated fat in coconut could boost your HDL or 'good' cholesterol. This, they claim, makes it less bad for your heart health than the saturated fat in animal-based foods like cheese and steak or products containing trans fats. But it also raises your LDL 'bad' cholesterol." ~WebMD

(http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/coconut-oil-and-health#1)

As far as heart-health, Coconut Oil consumed in moderation based on daily recommended amount seems to either have a neutral effect on the heart because of the balance of good(HDL) and bad(LDL) cholesterols, or a positive effect based on the results of a variety of conducted studies due to the Medium-Chain Triglycerides (MCTs).  Do keep in mind that Coconut Oil is a Saturated Fat when implementing it into your diet and should be limited in oral consumption based on the amount of healthy fats you allow in your diet.  People groups in regions such as Sri Lanka and Polynesia eat large amounts of coconut products daily and do not have high rates of heart disease.

Also consider that not all Coconut Oils are the same, and some are far better than others.  To get a good source of Coconut Oil read the label and look for key-words such as "organic," "virgin," "cold-pressed," and "unrefined," all of which you want to see on the label.  The best brands of quality Organic Coconut Oil are usually sealed in glass jars costing a bit more than the cheap stuff.  Generally the studies that make the claim that Coconut Oil is bad for the heart point out that Coconut Oil is a Saturated Fat and do not look much farther past that point --- ignoring many additional factors and bits of information such as the MCTs and often equate all quality of Coconut Oils the same.  The majority of these studies I've seen lack the information of if they were done on cheap "processed/refined Coconut Oil" or "Organic Virgin Unrefined Cold-Pressed Coconut Oil," which can effect the results of many types of studies.

While registered dietitian Lisa Young, PhD, does suggest using cholesterol-free Coconut Oil to replace butter or lard when cooking or baking, she does say, "you should get most of your fat from unsaturated sources including olive oil, avocado, and nuts." ~WebMD

(http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/coconut-oil-and-health#2)

Coconut Oil is often used to treat/help with a variety of issues including thyroid problems, protect against certain illnesses, arthritis, diabetes, assists in weight loss when used properly, and helps to counter aging effects as well as Alzheimer’s Disease according to numerous testimonies.  It can also be used in making a variety of products including toothpaste, lotions and hair conditioner.  Overall Coconut Oil has a long list of benefits and uses for your health and well-being.