180 replies to this topic

[stephen_b]

I couldn't find much on coconut oil on pub med to validate claims for health I've read.

Effects of a saturated fat and high cholesterol diet on memory and hippocampal morphology in the middle-aged rat (PMID 18560126) found:

Diets rich in cholesterol and/or saturated fats have been shown to be detrimental to cognitive performance. Therefore, we fed a cholesterol (2%) and saturated fat (hydrogenated coconut oil, Sat Fat 10%) diet to 16-month old rats for 8 weeks to explore the effects on the working memory performance of middle-aged rats. Lipid profiles revealed elevated plasma triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL, and LDL for the Sat-Fat group as compared to an iso-caloric control diet (12% soybean oil).

This wasn't a test of extra virgin coconut oil. In fact, they hydrogenated their oil. Why not put some rat poison in it while you're at it? =O
Here's a test that will be of concern to all interested in the health of rat testes, "Dietary lipids modify redox homeostasis and steroidogenic status in rat testis", PMID 18549927.

Forty Wistar rats were randomly assigned to one of four groups (n = 10) fed for 60 d on the same basal diet plus different lipid sources as commercial oils: soybean, olive, coconut, or grapeseed. After sacrifice, testicular lipids and fatty acid composition, free radical biomarkers, antioxidant levels, hormones, and steroidogenic enzymes were determined. ... The oxidative stress in testes was higher with the grapeseed oil-supplemented diet and decreased with the other diets in this order: soybean oil > olive oil > coconut oil.

Even though coconut oil most reduced in vivo oxidation, the study's authors concluded, "According to our results, an appropriate mixture of olive and soybean oils could be a healthy recommendation." Hey guys, coconut oil fared best, why don't you mention it?

Are there better studies out there that would shed some light on humans eating extra virgin coconut oil?

Stephen

[DukeNukem]

Possibly of interest...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Brain Res. 2008 Jun 11. [Epub ahead of print]

Induction of ketosis may improve mitochondrial function and decrease
steady-state amyloid-beta precursor protein (APP) levels in the aged
dog.

Studzinski CM, Mackay WA, Beckett TL, Henderson ST, Murphy MP,
Sullivan PG, Burnham WM.

Department of Pharmacology, University of Toronto, Canada; Sanders-
Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky, USA.

Region specific declines in the cerebral glucose metabolism are an
early and progressive feature of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Such
declines occur pre-symptomatically and offer a potential point of
intervention in developing AD therapeutics. Medium chain triglycerides
(MCTs), which are rapidly converted to ketone bodies, were tested for
their ability to provide an alternate energy source to neurons
suffering from compromised glucose metabolism. The present study
determined the short-term effects of ketosis in aged dogs, a natural
model of amyloidosis. The animals were administered a 2 g/kg/day dose
of MCTs for 2 months. Mitochondrial function and oxidative damage
assays were then conducted on the frontal and parietal lobes. Amyloid-
beta (Abeta), amyloid precursor protein (APP) processing and beta-site
APP cleaving enzyme (BACE1) assays were conducted on the frontal,
parietal and occipital lobes. Aged dogs receiving MCTs, as compared to
age-matched controls, showed dramatically improved mitochondrial
function, as evidenced by increased active respiration rates. This
effect was most prominent in the parietal lobe. The improved
mitochondrial function may have been due to a decrease in oxidative
damage, which was limited to the mitochondrial fraction. Steady-state
APP levels were also decreased in the parietal lobe after short-term
MCT administration. Finally, there was a trend towards a decrease in
total Abeta levels in the parietal lobe. BACE1 levels remained
unchanged. Combined, these findings suggest that short-term MCT
administration improves energy metabolism and decreases APP levels in
the aged dog brain.

PMID: 18582445

Edited by DukeNukem, 04 July 2008 - 05:24 PM.

[Brainbox]

Even though coconut oil most reduced in vivo oxidation, the study's authors concluded, "According to our results, an appropriate mixture of olive and soybean oils could be a healthy recommendation." Hey guys, coconut oil fared best, why don't you mention it?

click.. Oops, Dutch.

Hoewel zowel kokosolie als olijfolie een positief effect op de testes hadden, hadden de twee dieettypes een verschillend effect op het lichaamsgewicht. De ratten die kokosolie werden beduidend snel zwaarder, en waren aan het einde van de proef het zwaarst. De ratten die olijfolie kregen werden juist minder snel zwaarder.

Coconut oil did increase the body weight of the subjects fastest, the rats on olive oil increased slowest.

Gegevens over de lichaamssamenstelling ontbreken in het stuk, maar we gaan ervan uit dat de ratten die olijfolie kregen een lager vetpercentage hadden dan de ratten die kokosolie kregen. Het staat niet in het stuk, maar de vetzuren in olijfolie schakelen in cellen eiwitten aan die de stofwisseling een tandje hoger zetten.

Body composition was not given, but probably olive-oil would produce a lower percentage of fat due to the fact that olive oil increases metabolism.

From this Dutch article, it can also be concluded that the conclusion that a mixture of olive oil and soy oil would be recommended seems, uhm, strange. Argentine's economy depends a lot on soy oil production. Go figure, a positive correlation between the health of the economy of argentine and general human health. I wouldn't believe it if it was not on the internet.....

I'd go for the olive oil!

Edited by brainbox, 04 July 2008 - 07:22 PM.

[wydell]

Mercola seems to think that Coconut Oil is a wonder food

http://products.merc...om/coconut-oil/

I couldn't find much on coconut oil on pub med to validate claims for health I've read.

Effects of a saturated fat and high cholesterol diet on memory and hippocampal morphology in the middle-aged rat (PMID 18560126) found:

Diets rich in cholesterol and/or saturated fats have been shown to be detrimental to cognitive performance. Therefore, we fed a cholesterol (2%) and saturated fat (hydrogenated coconut oil, Sat Fat 10%) diet to 16-month old rats for 8 weeks to explore the effects on the working memory performance of middle-aged rats. Lipid profiles revealed elevated plasma triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL, and LDL for the Sat-Fat group as compared to an iso-caloric control diet (12% soybean oil).

This wasn't a test of extra virgin coconut oil. In fact, they hydrogenated their oil. Why not put some rat poison in it while you're at it? =O
Here's a test that will be of concern to all interested in the health of rat testes, "Dietary lipids modify redox homeostasis and steroidogenic status in rat testis", PMID 18549927.

Forty Wistar rats were randomly assigned to one of four groups (n = 10) fed for 60 d on the same basal diet plus different lipid sources as commercial oils: soybean, olive, coconut, or grapeseed. After sacrifice, testicular lipids and fatty acid composition, free radical biomarkers, antioxidant levels, hormones, and steroidogenic enzymes were determined. ... The oxidative stress in testes was higher with the grapeseed oil-supplemented diet and decreased with the other diets in this order: soybean oil > olive oil > coconut oil.

Even though coconut oil most reduced in vivo oxidation, the study's authors concluded, "According to our results, an appropriate mixture of olive and soybean oils could be a healthy recommendation." Hey guys, coconut oil fared best, why don't you mention it?

Are there better studies out there that would shed some light on humans eating extra virgin coconut oil?

Stephen

[wydell]

I made chocolate out of xylitol, cocoa powder, and coconut oil and no other ingredients. It came out pretty good and kind of tasted like a mounds bar. I think it will be a staple new snack. I am experimenting with the right proportion of the ingredients. I guess it depends upon on how dark and how sweet you like your chocolate. If you want to try it, I would recommend you melt your xylitol with a tiny bit of water on the stove (just enough to get the xylitol moist) and then let the heat remove some of the water, leaving a xylitol liquid. Then mix coconut oil (the warm xylitol should melt it) and cocoa powder to the xylitol liquid, mix, and refrigerate until hard.




Incidentally there are a bunch of coconut studies here: http://coconutresear...ut-research.htm

If you go to the site above, the studies below have links to abstracts

Antimicrobial Effects

Antibacterial actions of fatty acids and monoglycerides against Helicobacter pylori. FEMS Immunol Med Microbiol. 2003 May 15;36(1-2):9-17.

Bactericidal effects of fatty acids and monoglycerides on Helicobacter pylori. Int J Antimicrob Agents. 2002 Oct;20(4):258-62.

Effect of fatty acids on arenavirus replication: inhibition of virus production by lauric acid. Arch Virol. 2001;146(4):777-90.

Killing of Gram-positive cocci by fatty acids and monoglycerides. APMIS. 2001 Oct;109(10):670-8.

In vitro killing of Candida albicans by fatty acids and monoglycerides. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2001 Nov;45(11):3209-12.

In vitro susceptibilities of Neisseria gonorrhoeae to fatty acids and monoglycerides. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1999 Nov;43(11):2790-2.

In vitro inactivation of Chlamydia trachomatis by fatty acids and monoglycerides. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1998 Sep;42(9):2290-4.

Susceptibility of Helicobacter pylori to bactericidal properties of medium-chain monoglycerides and free fatty acids. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1996 Feb;40(2):302-6.

Inactivation of enveloped viruses in human bodily fluids by purified lipids. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1994 Jun 6;724:457-64. Review.

Inactivation of visna virus and other enveloped viruses by free fatty acids and monoglycerides. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1994 Jun 6;724:465-71.

Lauric acid inhibits the maturation of vesicular stomatitis virus. J Gen Virol. 1994 Feb;75 ( Pt 2):353-61.

Inactivation of enveloped viruses and killing of cells by fatty acids and monoglycerides. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1987 Jan;31(1):27-31.

The effects of fatty acids and their monoesters on the metabolic activity of dental plaque. J Dent Res. 1984 Jan;63(1):2-5.



Cardiovascular Health

Note: A large number of studies are showing a direct correlation between chronic low-grade bacterial and viral infections and coronary heart disease. The primary culprits are Chlamydia pneumoniae, Cytomegalovirus, and Helicobacter pylori. Each of these pathogenic organisms as well as many others are effectively killed by the medium-chain fatty acids in coconut oil. Coconut oil, therefore, can reduce risk of heart disease.

A diet rich in coconut oil reduces diurnal postprandial variations in circulating tissue plasminogen activator antigen and fasting lipoprotein (a) compared with a diet rich in unsaturated fat in women. J. Nutr. 2003;133:3422-3427.

Antibiotic treatment of atherosclerosis. Curr Opin Lipidol. 2003 Dec;14(6):605-14.


Coconut Oil: Atherogenic or Not? (What therefore causes Atherosclerosis?). Philippine Journal of Cardiology. 2003 July-Sept; 31(3):97-104.


Chronic infection and coronary artery disease. Cardiol Clin. 2003 Aug;21(3):333-62.

Prevalence of Chlamydia pneumoniae in the atherosclerotic plaque of patients with unstable angina and its relation with serology. Int J Cardiol. 2003 Jun;89(2-3):273-9.

Results of use of metformin and replacement of starch with saturated fat in diets of patients with type 2 diabetes. Endocr Pract. 2002 May-Jun;8(3):177-83.

Secondary prevention of coronary artery disease with antimicrobials: current status and future directions. Am J Cardiovasc Drugs. 2002;2(2):107-18.

Chronic infections and atherosclerosis. J Med Assoc Thai. 2001 Dec;84 Suppl 3:S650-7.

Emerging relations between infectious diseases and coronary artery disease and atherosclerosis. CMAJ 2000 Jul 11;163(1);49-56.

The possible role of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) in the origin of atherosclerosis. J Clin Virol 2000 Feb;16(1):17-24.

Effects of total pathogen burden on coronary artery disease risk and C-reactive protein levels. Am J Cardiol 2000 Jan 15;85(2):140-6.

A cross-over study of the effect of a single oral feeding of medium chain triglyceride oil vs. canola oil on post-ingestion plasma triglyceride levels in healthy men. Altern Med Rev 1999 Feb;4(1):23-8.

Inverse association of dietary fat with development of ischemic stroke in men. JAMA 1997 December;278(24):2145-50.

The role of coconut and coconut oil in coronary heart disease in Kerala, south India. Trop Doct. 1997 Oct;27(4):215-7.

Chronic infections and coronary heart disease: is there a link? Lancet, 1997 Aug;350(9075):430-37.

Coconut oil consumption and coronary heart disease. Philipp J Intern Med. 1992 May-Jun; 30(3):165-171.

A reevaluation of coconut oil's effect on serum cholesterol and atherogenesis. J Philipp Med Assoc. 1989 Jul-Sep; 65(1):144-152.

Coconut oil revisited. J Philipp Med Assoc. 1989 Jul-Sep; 65(1):140-142.

Medium chain triglycerides (MCT) in aging and arteriosclerosis. J Environ Pathol Toxicol Oncol 1986 Mar-Apr;6(3-4):115-21.

Longitudinal analysis of the relationship between blood pressure and migration: the Tokelau Island Migrant Study. Am J Epidemiol. 1985 Aug;122(2):291-301.

Cholesterol, coconuts, and diet on Polynesian atolls: a natural experiment: the Pukapuka and Tokelau island studies. Am J Clin Nutr. 1981 Aug;34(8):1552-61.

The Tokelau Island Migrant Study: serum lipid concentration in two environments. J Chronic Dis. 1981;34(2-3):45-55.



Weight Management

Medium-chain triglycerides increase energy expenditure and decrease adiposity in overweight men. Obes Res. 2003 Mar;11(3):395-402.

Consumption of an oil composed of medium chain triacyglycerols, phytosterols, and N-3 fatty acids improves cardiovascular risk profile in overweight women. Metabolism. 2003 Jun;52(6):771-7.

Greater rise in fat oxidation with medium-chain triglyceride consumption relative to long-chain triglyceride is associated with lower initial body weight and greater loss of subcutaneous adipose tissue. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord. 2003 Dec;27(12):1565-71.

Physiological effects of medium-chain triglycerides: potential agents in the prevention of obesity. J Nutr. 2002 Mar;132(3):329-32.

Value of VLCD supplementation with medium chain triglycerides. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord. 2001 Sep;25(9):1393-400.

Dietary medium-chain triacylglycerols suppress accumulation of body fat in a double-blind, controlled trial in healthy men and women. J Nutr. 2001 Nov;131(11):2853-9.

Endogenous fat oxidation during medium chain versus long chain triglyceride feeding in healthy women. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord. 2000 Sep;24(9):1158-66.

Hypocaloric feeding in obese women: metabolic effects of medium-chain triglyceride substitution. Am J Clin Nutr. 1989 Feb;49(2):326-30.

Overfeeding with medium-chain triglyceride diet results in diminished deposition of fat. Am J Clin Nutr. 1983 Jan;37(1):1-4.



Metabolism/Energy

Medium- versus long-chain triglycerides for 27 days increases fat oxidation and energy expenditure without resulting in changes in body composition in overweight women. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord. 2003 Jan;27(1):95-102.

Larger diet-induced thermogenesis and less body fat accumulation in rats fed medium-chain triacylglycerols than in those fed long-chain triacylglycerols. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo). 2002 Dec;48(6):524-9.

Comparison of diet-induced thermogenesis of foods containing medium- versus long-chain triacylglycerols. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo). 2002 Dec;48(6):536-40.

Swimming endurance capacity of mice is increased by chronic consumption of medium-chain triglycerides. J Nutr. 1995 Mar;125(3):531-9.

Thermogenesis in humans during overfeeding with medium-chain triglycerides. Metabolism. 1989 Jul;38(7):641-8.

Role of brown adipose tissue in thermogenesis induced by overfeeding a diet containing medium chain triglyceride. Lipids. 1987 Jun;22(6):442-4.

Thermic effect of medium-chain and long-chain triglycerides in man. Am J Clin Nutr. 1986 Nov;44(5):630-4.

Enhanced thermogenesis and diminished deposition of fat in response to overfeeding with diet containing medium chain triglyceride. Am J Clin Nutr. 1982 Apr;35(4):678-82.



Digestion and Nutrient Absorption

Short term effects of dietary medium-chain fatty acids and n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids on the fat metabolism of healthy volunteers. Lipids Health Dis. 2003 Nov 17;2(1):10.

Effects of medium- and long-chain triglycerides on sleep and thermoregulatory processes in neonates. J Sleep Res. 1998 Mar;7(1):31-9.

Medium chain fatty acid metabolism and energy expenditure: obesity treatment implications. Life Sci. 1998;62(14):1203-15.

Vegetable oil fortified feeds in the nutrition of very low birthweight babies. Indian Pediatr. 1992 Dec;29(12):1519-27.

Absorption of individual fatty acids from long chain or medium chain triglycerides in very small infants. Am J Clin Nutr. 1986 May;43(5):745-51.

Medium-chain triglyceride feeding in premature infants: effects on calcium and magnesium absorption. Pediatrics. 1978 Apr;61(4):537-45.



Hospital Patient Care/Parenteral Nutrition

An enteral therapy containing medium-chain triglycerides and hydrolyzed peptides reduces postprandial pain associated with chronic pancreatitis. Pancreatology. 2003;3(1):36-40.

Clinical and metabolic effects of two lipid emulsions on the parenteral nutrition of septic patients. Nutrition. 2002 Feb;18(2):134-8.

Metabolic effects of medium-chain triglycerides in parenteral nutrition after surgery Zhonghua Wai Ke Za Zhi. 2001 Sep;39(9):694-7.

Decreased fat and nitrogen losses in patients with AIDS receiving medium-chain-triglyceride-enriched formula vs those receiving long-chain-triglyceride-containing formula. J Am Diet Assoc. 1997 Jun;97(6):605-11.

Efficacy of different triglycerides in total parenteral nutrition for preventing atrophy of the gut in traumatized rats. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 1997 Jan-Feb;21(1):21-6.

Parenteral nutrition in the critically ill: use of a medium chain triglyceride emulsion. Intensive Care Med 1993;19(2):89-95.

A comparison of medium-chain and long-chain triglycerides in surgical patients. Ann Surg. 1993 Feb;217(2):175-84.

Long-chain versus medium and long-chain triglyceride-based fat emulsion in parenteral nutrition of severe head trauma patients. Infusionstherapie. 1990 Oct;17(5):246-8.

The metabolic consequences of infusing emulsions containing medium chain triglycerides for parenteral nutrition: a comparative study with conventional lipid. Ann R Coll Surg Engl. 1986 May;68(3):119-21.



Cancer, Liver Disease, and Other Health Concerns

Protective effects of medium-chain triglycerides on the liver and gut in rats administered endotoxin. Ann Surg. 2003 Feb;237(2):246-55.

Review of the toxicologic properties of medium-chain triglycerides. Food Chem Toxicol 2000 Jan:38(1):79-98.

Comparison of the fat elimination between long-chain triglycerides and medium-chain triglycerides in rats with ischemic acute renal failure. Ren. Fail. 2002 Jan;24(1):1-9.

Medium-chain triglycerides inhibit free radical formation and TNF-alpha production in rats given enteral ethanol. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2000 Mar;278(3):G467-76.

Protective effect of coconut oil on renal necrosis occurring in rats fed a methyl-deficient diet. Ren. Fail. 1995 Sep; 17 (5):525-37.

Opposite effects of dietary saturated and unsaturated fatty acids on ethanol-pharmacokinetics, triglycerides and carnitines. J Am Coll Nutr. 1994 Aug:13 (4):338-43.

Menhaden, coconut, and corn oils and mammary tumor incidence in BALB/c virgin female mice treated with DMBA. Nutr Cancer. 1993;20(2):99-106.

The influence of dietary medium chain triglycerides on rat mammary tumor development. Lipids 1987 Jun;22(6):455-61.

Early biochemical and EEG correlates of the ketogenic diet in children with atypical absence epilepsy. Pediatr Neural 1985 Mar-Apr;1(2):104-8.

Tumor promotion by dietary fat in azoxymethane-induced colon carcinogenesis in female F344 rats: influence of amount and source of dietary fat. J Natl Cancer Inst. 1984 Mar;72(3):745-50.

Influence of dietary medium-chain triglycerides on the development of N-methylnitrosourea-induced rat mammary tumors. Cancer Res. 1984 Nov;44(11):5023-8.

[Brainbox]

I've been looking into it as well. Found the site given above, so no use to repeat it.
And, not unimportant, extra virgin coconut oil tastes very good, very nice in a shake. Need to find a cheap but reliable source though. I did buy 200ml for 6 euro's (9$) yesterday.

And another short overview.

Edit:
The fact that coconut oil is a saturated fat induces a form of prejudice that is typical for the kind of judgement that is based on incomplete knowledge.

Edited by SubZero, 26 July 2008 - 03:05 PM.

[Brainbox]

Hmmm...... contradictory information..... maybe the level of industrial processing is causing this?

Effects of fats and fatty acids on blood lipids in humans: an overview.Katan MB, Zock PL, Mensink RP.
Department of Human Nutrition, Wageningen Agricultural University, Netherlands.

Differences in dietary fatty acid structure induce marked differences in lipid and lipoprotein concentrations in plasma from fasting subjects. Under metabolic-ward conditions, replacement of carbohydrates by lauric, myristic, and palmitic acids raise both low-density-lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density-lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol whereas stearic acid has little effect. Oleic and linoleic acids raise HDL and slightly lower LDL; all fatty acids lower fasting triglycerides when substituted for carbohydrates. Trans monounsaturates lower HDL and raise LDL and lipoprotein(a). The fatty acids in unhydrogenated fish oil potently lower triglycerides, with variable effects on LDL. Of the commercial fats, palm-kernel and coconut oil are the most hypercholesterolemic, followed by butter and palm oil. Replacement of hard fats rich in lauric, myristic, or palmitic acids or trans fatty acids by unsaturated oils will lower LDL, but replacement by carbohydrates will in addition decrease HDL and increase triglycerides. In free-living subjects, high-oil diets could lead to obesity, undoing the favorable effects on HDL and triglycerides.

PMID: 7977143 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Tropical oils: nutritional and scientific issues.Elson CE.
Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison 53706.

Individually and in combination with other oils, the tropical oils impart into manufactured foods functional properties that appeal to consumers. The use of and/or labeling in the ingredient lists give the impression that these oils are used extensively in commercially processed foods. The estimated daily intake of tropical oils by adult males is slightly more than one fourth of a tablespoon (3.8 g), 75% of which consists of saturated fatty acids. Dietary fats containing saturated fatty acids at the beta-position tend to raise plasma total and LDL-cholesterol, which, of course, contribute to atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease. Health professionals express concern that consumers who choose foods containing tropical oils unknowingly increase their intake of saturated fatty acids. The saturated fatty acid-rich tropical oils, coconut oil, hydrogenated coconut oil, and palm kernel oil, raise cholesterol levels; studies demonstrating this effect are often confounded by a developing essential fatty acid deficiency. Palm oil, an essential fatty acid-sufficient tropical oil, raises plasma cholesterol only when an excess of cholesterol is presented in the diet. The failure of palm oil to elevate blood cholesterol as predicted by the regression equations developed by Keys et al. and Hegsted et al. might be due to the dominant alpha-position location of its constituent saturated fatty acids. If so, the substitution of interesterified artificial fats for palm oil in food formulations, a recommendation of some health professionals, has the potential of raising cholesterol levels. A second rationale addresses prospective roles minor constituents of palm oil might play in health maintenance. This rationale is founded on the following observations. Dietary palm oil does not raise plasma cholesterol. Single fat studies suggests that oils richer in polyunsaturated fatty acid content tend to decrease thrombus formation. Anomalously, palm oil differs from other of the more saturated fats in tending to decrease thrombus formation. Finally, in studies comparing palm oil with other fats and oils, experimental carcinogenesis is enhanced both by vegetable oils richer in linoleic acid content and by more highly saturated animal fats. The carotenoid constituents of red palm oil are potent dietary anticarcinogens. A second group of antioxidants, the tocotrienols, are present in both palm olein and red palm oil. These vitamin E-active constituents are potent suppressors of cholesterol biosynthesis; emerging data point to their anticarcinogenic and antithrombotic activities. This review does not support claims that foods containing palm oil have no place in a prudent diet.

PMID: 1345319 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Medium chain triglycerides (MCT) in aging and arteriosclerosis.Kaunitz H.
Some of the nutritional work with triglycerides consisting mainly of C8 and C10 fatty acids (MCT) lends itself to speculations about their influence on arteriosclerosis. Arteriosclerosis is thought to be part of the normal aging process which is due to age associated molecular biological changes. The lipid theory of arteriosclerosis is rejected. Pertinent studies with MCT include these observations. Feeding of MCT to rats resulted in animals of low body weight, small fat deposits and excellent survival rate. This deserves emphasis because of the beneficial influence of low body weight on aging and arteriosclerosis. MCT feeding was associated with low linoleate and low tocopherol requirements in rats. This may lead to reduced formation of those linoleate derived prostaglandins which favor thrombosis formation. Lower linoleate requirements may also lead to the presence of fewer uncontrolled free radicals in the cells. MCT feeding is associated with low levels of serum and liver cholesterol involving speculations that tissue conditions are such that an adaptive increase of cholesterol is unnecessary. The Demographic Yearbook of the United Nations (1978) reported that Sri Lanka has the lowest death rate from ischemic heart disease. Sri Lanka is the only of the countries giving reliable data where coconut oil (containing over 50% medium chain fatty acids) is the main dietary fat.

PMID: 3519928 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

[Brainbox]

I'm not able to find any evidence on pubmed of the claims about coconut oil (or lauric acid) being inhibitive on virus, bacterial or parasite development.

[wydell]

I'm not able to find any evidence on pubmed of the claims about coconut oil (or lauric acid) being inhibitive on virus, bacterial or parasite development.

I am posting my guilt free chocolate recipe here and in a separate post. I make things in small proportions and recommend that you do the same the first time so you can adjust ingredients to suit taste in subsequent trials.

ingredients:

Xylitol - 1 tablespoon
water - 2 tablespoons
cocoa powder - 2 and 1/4 tablespoon
Extra Virgin Coconut Oil - 1 tablespoon


Boil xylitol in water until crystals have completely dissolved. And extra virgin coconut oil to liquid xyltiol (mixing cup should be hot, so xylitol does not recrystalize). Add cocoa powder. Stir.
Refrigerate.

Benefits

Xylitol - may be good for teeth and may help prevent cavaties, kills bacteria in mouth, may improve bones and skins in rodents according to studies, may be OK for diabetics. See http://www.dficorp.n...tol/xhealth.htm .

cocoa - may be good for blood pressure and blood vessels, antioxidants

EV Cocoa Oil - There are cardiovascular, antimicrobial, mitochondria, weight reduction benefit claims. See claims here http://coconutresear...ut-research.htm , http://products.merc...om/coconut-oil/

[Brainbox]

I'm not able to find any evidence on pubmed of the claims about coconut oil (or lauric acid) being inhibitive on virus, bacterial or parasite development.

Hmm, I think I did not have my day yesterday...

[stephen_b]

Need to find a cheap but reliable source though. I did buy 200ml for 6 euro's (9$) yesterday.

I have this product and can give it my personal guarantee of yumminess.

Stephen

[Mind]

A nice summary blog post from the "Inhuman Experiment"

As for HDL and triglycerides, coconut oil takes the cake. HDL levels were highest during the coconut oil diet, and lowest during the safflower diet, while triglyceride levels were highest during the butter diet and lowest during the coconut diet.

So what should we make of all this? Based on these studies it seems pretty clear that coconut – regardless of whether it's coconut water, coconut oil or coconut flakes – reduces LDL, VLDL and triglycerides and slightly raises HDL. This is exactly what you'd want to happen with your cholesterol levels.

These results certainly suggest that coconut is good for cholesterol and at the same time cast doubt on the claims about saturated fat always being harmful.

[ajnast4r]

i love coconut oil... one of if not the best source of saturated fat imo. soooo tastey... i like to steam up some broccoli then melt coconut oil over it... finish w/ a little salt & black pepper and its amazing.

[s123]

In this context it is worth noting that lifespan among vertebrates correlates not only with ROS production, but also with the degree of lipid unsaturation and the position of he bouble bonds.
The shorter live laboratory mice have a higher content of n-3 PUFAs in membrane phospholipids than the longer-lived wild-derivated animals. The naked mole rat, which lives for about 30 years in spite of a substancial accumulation of oxidative damage, has significantly lwer level of the n-3 PUFA, DHA than mice which live one-tenth as long.
Honey bee queens, which share their genome with workers but outlive them by a factor of ten or more, have membranes that contain less PUFAs and are thu les susceptible to peroxidation than membranes of working bees. Similary, ofspring of human nonagenarians have a lower content of PUFAs in erythrocyte membranes than control subjects matched with respect to ag and other variables.
Interestingly, n-3 PUFAs are more susceptible to peroxidation than n-6 PUFAs, suggesting a case of "antagonistic pleiotropy" on the metablic rather than genetic level: the protective rol of n-3 PUFAs during most of lifespan may be partially offset by accelerated aging due to increased lipid peroxidation.

Source: P. Zimniak. Detoxiication reactions: relevance to aging. Aging Research Reviews 7 (2008) 281-300.

Thus, previous studies have shown that the degree of fatty acid unsaturation of all the main phospholipid fractions of liver mitochondria is lower in pigeons (MLSP = 35 years) than in rats (MLSP = 4 years), and is also lower in humans (MLSP = 122 years) than in pigeons (10). This finding has been extended also to mitochondrial lipids of long-lived compared with shortlived mammalian species (11).
We propose that a low degree of fatty acid unsaturation may have been selected in longevous mammals to protect their tissue lipids and proteins against oxidative damage while maintaining an appropriate environment formembrane function.

Source: Reinald Pamplona, Manuel Portero-Otín, David Riba, Jesús R. Requena, Suzanne R. Thorpe, Mónica López-Torres, and Gustavo Barja. Low Fatty Acid Unsaturation: A Mechanism for Lowered Lipoperoxidative Modification of Tissue Proteins in Mammalian Species With Long Life Spans. Journal of Gerontology: BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES, 2000, Vol. 55A, No. 6, B286–B291.

Edited by s123, 04 December 2008 - 07:36 AM.

[senseix]

i love coconut oil... one of if not the best source of saturated fat imo. soooo tastey... i like to steam up some broccoli then melt coconut oil over it... finish w/ a little salt & black pepper and its amazing.

I'm going to have to try that, i too love Coconut Oil, and i'm a believer that if it's organic, extra virgin and a high quality that it's one of the best if not the best form of saturated fat.

[kismet]

...the protective rol of n-3 PUFAs during most of lifespan may be partially offset by accelerated aging due to increased lipid peroxidation....

As mentioned in MR's supplements guide anno 2004. Unfortunately I've never seen much of a disscusion of this topic on imminst.

Look for "Negative Intervention: Avoid n3 HUFA (EPA/DHA)." http://cron-web.org/...ts-guide-5.html

[stephen_b]

Here's a quick recipe I came up with using raw chocolate, melted coconut oil, raw almond butter, and honey.

* Melt the coconut oil on the stove
* Add raw chocolate powder to the desired consistency
* Add raw almond butter to the desired consistency
* Add honey to taste (not much needed)
* Optionally add cinnamon

Measuring cup -- who needs that?

Drip on a sheet of wax paper, and let cool in the freezer or refrigerator. Tastes great and good for you.

StephenB

[DukeNukem]

Here's a quick recipe I came up with using raw chocolate, melted coconut oil, raw almond butter, and honey.

* Melt the coconut oil on the stove
* Add raw chocolate powder to the desired consistency
* Add raw almond butter to the desired consistency
* Add honey to taste (not much needed)
* Optionally add cinnamon

Measuring cup -- who needs that?

Drip on a sheet of wax paper, and let cool in the freezer or refrigerator. Tastes great and good for you.

StephenB

Good recipe, but I'd add protein powder too, just to up the protein content.

[stephen_b]

Yesterday I slow-cooked a bean soup at the low temperature setting in my crock pot. Later I measured the temperature to be 190° F. I found the soup to be tasty just as it was, but what really brought out the flavor was adding a generous portion of coconut oil (extra virgin, of course) to the bowl. Recommended for soups.

StephenB

[VampIyer]

I also use the Nutiva coconut oil, and it tastes great.

I've been using it in my chicken/vegetable stews, and for the occasional bean stew. Some cultures like to add a bit of yogurt to their lentil soups and stews, and I liken this coconut oil addition to that practice, although it tastes completely different of course.

I've also been using coconut fiber, and coconut milk (a small amount) to add to the base of these stews (similar to thai style).

I'd say I get nearly half my daily saturated fat from coconut.

[yoyo]

is there some advantage to using coconut oil instead of coconut milk????

[Forever21]

I use Alpha DME EVCO. It taste so good on salad and thanks for the chocolate recipes above.

[yoyo]

i made some granola with coconut milk today. very tasty. i'd still like to know whats in the water fraction of coconut milk. and the effects of lauric on health other than just cardiovascular parameters.

[stephen_b]

is there some advantage to using coconut oil instead of coconut milk????

See JLL's post here.

[spacetime]

Is there any particular brand of coconut oil people here prefer?

[CobaltThoriumG]

Is there any particular brand of coconut oil people here prefer?

Nutiva is the least expensive I have seen. I prefer the taste of Jarrow. Those are the only two I have tried. I wonder how consistent the taste is, though. Perhaps depending on growing conditions, I would prefer the next batch of Nutiva to Jarrow. I don't know.

[frederickson]

i use the nativa brand and love it

[Mind]

I tried it for the first time this month - bought Tropical Traditions (after seeing it advertised at Imminst) - seems good. Made chocolate treats with virgin coconut oil, 80% dark chocolate, and chocolate flavored whey protein (vanilla would probably be just as good). Awesome treat. Goes fast.

[aikikai]

Important is to use organic coconut oil, as I understand that traditional coconut oil is cleaned with some type of petrol in the production of it.

Edited by aikikai, 02 February 2009 - 11:35 AM.

[drmz]

Today i heard Prof. dr. Martijn Katan say on dutch radio that it's not wise to consume coconut oil. I started a Imminst/google/Pubmed search to look for studies that could convince me that my health will benefit from cooking in coconut oil.I found the results to be inconclusive so far so i decided to switch to olive oil for most of the week until i read more convincing evidence.I'm sure my search wasn't exhaustive.